Volkswagen Polo Service & Repair Manual: Critical Point

Volkswagen Polo Service & Repair Manual / Refrrigerant R134a Servicing / A/C System, General Information / Refrigerant R134a / Critical Point

Vehicle air conditioning systems make use of the vaporization and condensation process. In this case, one works with a substance which boils easily, designated as refrigerant.

The refrigerant employed is tetrafluoroethane R134a, which boils at -26.5 °C (-15.7 °F) at a vapor pressure of 1 bar (14.5 psi).

The critical point (critical temperature and critical pressure) is that above which there is no longer a boundary between liquid and gas.

A substance above its critical point is always in the gaseous state.

At temperatures below the critical point, all types of refrigerant in pressure vessels exhibit both a liquid and a gas phase, i.e. there is a layer of gas above the liquid.

As long as there is still gas present in the container next to the fluid, pressure is dependent on ambient temperature. Refer to → Chapter „Refrigerant R134a Vapor Pressure Table“.

Note

Different types of refrigerant are never to be mixed. Only the refrigerant designated for the corresponding A/C system may be used.

Refrigerant R134a Physical Data

Vehicle air conditioning systems make use of the vaporization and condensation process. In this case, one works with a substance which boils easily, designated as ref ...

Refrigerant R134a Environmental Information

Vehicle air conditioning systems make use of the vaporization and condensation process. In this case, one works with a substance which boils easily, designated as ref ...

Other materials:

Extraction System Group Classifications
At this time, A/C service units for extracting, cleaning and filling refrigerant for motor vehicle A/C systems are available from various manufacturers. Group 3: Mobile extraction and charging systems for filling c ...

AGM Battery
Maintenance-Free Battery with Specific Electrolyte without a Visual Indicator Lead-acid battery, where the electrolyte is fixed in an absorbent glass mat (AGM). The battery is closed and equipped with breather valves. ...

Water Content
Only very small amounts of water are soluble in liquid refrigerant. On the other hand, refrigerant vapor and water vapor mix in any ratio. Only a small drop of water may get into the refrigerant circuit. The dryer, dryer bag or dryer car ...