The process of separating individual refrigerants in a zeotropic blend during phase change is known as what?

The process of separating individual refrigerants in a zeotropic blend during phase change is known as fractionation. In a zeotropic blend, the components of the refrigerant do not evaporate or condense at the same temperature. As a result, when the mixture undergoes a phase change, the different refrigerants can separate based on their individual boiling points. This separation occurs because each component will reach its boiling point at different temperatures, leading to a phenomenon where the proportions of the mixture change over time.

Fractionation is crucial in air conditioning and refrigeration applications where precise temperature control and efficiency are essential. It allows systems to effectively utilize the unique properties of each component in the blend, optimizing performance through the distinct phase behaviors of the individual refrigerants.

Regarding the other options, temperature glide refers to the change in temperature that occurs during the phase change of a zeotropic mixture, but it does not specifically describe the separation process. Wax separation pertains to the separation of wax or solid deposits from a fluid but is not relevant to refrigerant blends. Viscosity relates to a fluid's resistance to flow and does not pertain to the separation of refrigerants during phase changes.