What symptoms are caused by air or other noncondensible gases in a capillary tube air conditioning system?

In a capillary tube air conditioning system, the presence of air or other noncondensable gases primarily results in high suction pressure and high discharge pressure. This occurs because the noncondensable gases disrupt the normal refrigerant cycle.

In a functioning system, the refrigerant ideally cycles through various phases, absorbing heat from the environment at the evaporator and releasing it at the condenser. However, when noncondensable gases are introduced into the system, they do not condense or evaporate like the refrigerant; instead, they occupy space in the condenser and evaporator. This leads to an increase in pressure because the refrigerant cannot efficiently absorb or release heat.

When air or noncondensables are present, they elevate the pressure readings both at the suction and discharge sides of the system. The increased suction pressure indicates that the compressor is struggling to draw in the refrigerant effectively, while the high discharge pressure reflects the inability of the refrigerant to condense properly due to the presence of those gases.

Overall, the key impact of noncondensable gases in the system is the elevation of pressure levels, which could lead to a reduction in system efficiency and potential damage if not addressed.