What happens to non-condensable gases in a chiller system?

In a chiller system, non-condensable gases refer to gases that do not change phase from gas to liquid under the conditions present within the chiller. These gases can include air and other contaminants that may enter the refrigeration cycle. The key issue with non-condensable gases is that they can negatively impact the efficiency and performance of the chiller system by occupying space that should be available for the refrigerant, leading to increased pressure and decreased heat transfer efficiency.

When non-condensable gases accumulate in the system, they are typically vented and released to the atmosphere. This is done to maintain optimal system performance and to avoid potential damage that can occur if these gases remain in the system, such as increased energy consumption and overheating. Although this release is necessary for system maintenance, it is usually performed in a controlled manner to minimize environmental impact.

The other options present alternatives that would not effectively address the issue of non-condensable gases within a chiller system. Recycling them back into the system would not solve the problem, as they would continue to cause inefficiencies. Compressing and storing them is impractical since they would not provide any benefit to the refrigeration process. Cooling and condensing non-condensables is not feasible because these gases do not