What is meant by Temperature Glide?

Temperature glide refers to the phenomenon observed in certain refrigerants, particularly azeotropes or near-azeotropes, where there is a change in temperature as the refrigerant transitions from liquid to vapor (or vice versa) under constant pressure conditions. This means that instead of experiencing a sharp phase change at a single temperature, the refrigerant undergoes a gradual temperature transition over a range.

This gradual change occurs because the various components within the refrigerant blend have different boiling points, leading to a temperature variation as they evaporate. Consequently, while the pressure remains constant, the temperature of the refrigerant vapor changes, resulting in temperature glide.

Understanding temperature glide is crucial for technicians, as it affects the efficiency of refrigeration systems and necessitates adjustments in processes such as charging and recovery to ensure optimal operation and performance of the equipment.