In a refrigeration system, what does superheat refer to?

Superheat refers to the additional heat that is added to refrigerant vapor after it has completely evaporated in the evaporator coil. This heating process occurs when the refrigerant is in gaseous form and absorbs heat from the surroundings, which increases its temperature above the saturation point corresponding to its pressure.

This concept is crucial for the efficient operation of refrigeration systems, as it ensures that the refrigerant is fully in vapor form before it moves to the compressor. Proper superheat levels can help prevent compressor damage due to liquid refrigerant entering the compressor, which can cause issues like flooding.

Understanding superheat is essential for troubleshooting and optimizing refrigeration systems, as inadequate superheat can indicate problems like insufficient evaporator capacity or low refrigerant levels, while excessive superheat can lead to overheating and reduced efficiency.