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An Integral Receiver-Dryer Condenser (IRDC) is one amongst the many recent developments in the field of automotive air-conditioning system. With proper design, these condensers facilitate an increase in the A/C system performance with reduced packaging space and refrigerant charge. The performance of these condensers depends on different parameters like the charge quantity, size of the receiver, subcooling area, pass structure, position of the receiver with respect to the condenser passes and liquid-vapor separation in the receiver. If these parameters are not taken into consideration in the design of an IRDC, the condenser may not give the desired cooling performance, which in turn will affect air-conditioning system performance. We discuss these parameters in detail and their effect on the performance of an IRDC in an A/C system.

Due to competition within the OEMs, the implied cost and space constraints on auto part manufacturers have led to innovative designs of components and process technology. The concept of an integral receiver-dryer condenser (IRDC) is a recent development that reduces the packaging space, and facilitates an increase in the A/C system performance compared to the conventional system with those two components separate. In this paper, we provide an overview of recent developments in condensers with an integral receiver-dryer used in auto air-conditioning systems. The focused areas considered for the new developments are space constraints in the engine compartment and lightweight parts for performance enhancement and/or cost reduction. Development of lightweight high-performance condensers has also reduced the power consumption of the automotive A/C system thereby reducing vehicle emissions and slightly increasing the fuel economy.