HVAC Thermodynamic States

All refrigeration systems involve the movement or transport of heat from a cold region to a warm region. The subject of thermodynamics describes how these heat transports may occur. Thermodynamics is a branch of physical science that deals with the relations between heat and other forms of energy (such as mechanical, electrical, or chemical energy), and, by extension, of the relationships and interconvertibility of all forms of energy. “Thermo” means heat, and “dynamic” refers to energy and change. In cooling applications, we are interested in managing heat, energy, and change, and so a knowledge of basic thermodynamics helps us to grasp the processes that are taking place, for example, in an air-conditioner.