Based on the different cooling media and cooling methods used in refrigeration units, condensers can be categorized into three types: water-cooled, air-cooled, and evaporative cooling.

I. Water-cooled Condenser: This type of condenser uses water as the cooling medium to remove the heat released during refrigerant condensation. The cooling water can be used disposable or recycled. When using recycled water, a cooling tower or cold water tank is required to ensure continuous cooling. Depending on its structure, it mainly includes shell-and-tube, co-tube, and now more commonly plate heat exchangers.

II. Air-cooled Condenser: This type of condenser uses air as the cooling medium. The refrigerant condenses inside the tubes, while air flows outside, absorbing the heat released by the refrigerant vapor inside the tubes. Because air has a relatively low heat transfer coefficient, fins are often installed on the outside of the tubes (air side) to enhance heat transfer. It is divided into two types: free-flowing air and forced-flowing air.

III. Evaporative Condenser: This type uses both water and air as the cooling medium. It utilizes the heat absorbed by water during evaporation to condense the refrigerant vapor inside the tubes. Water is pumped up and sprayed onto the outer surface of the heat transfer tubes through nozzles, forming a water film. Part of the water film absorbs heat and evaporates into water vapor, which is then carried away by the air entering the condenser. Unevaporated water droplets fall into the lower water tank. A water baffle is installed at the top of the enclosure to prevent water droplets from escaping into the air.