In a three-stage centrifugal chiller, what happens to the pressure as it reaches the final stage?

In a three-stage centrifugal chiller, the pressure increases as the refrigerant passes through each stage of compression. Each stage of the centrifugal compressor is designed to further compress the refrigerant, raising its pressure and temperature as it moves from one stage to the next. By the time the refrigerant reaches the final stage, it has gone through multiple compression processes, which contributes to a significant increase in pressure, preparing it for the next steps in the refrigeration cycle, such as condensation.

This process is essential because it allows the refrigerant to absorb heat at the evaporator and release that heat at the condenser, making the refrigeration cycle efficient. Therefore, the increase in pressure at the final stage is a key aspect of how centrifugal chillers operate effectively in cooling applications.