An engineer observes a gauge that reads saturation pressure of a refrigerant. If chilled water is circulated as the cooling medium, what can this reading best estimate?

The gauge reading of saturation pressure of a refrigerant can be directly correlated to the temperature of the chilled water being pumped. In refrigeration systems, there is a defined relationship between the saturation pressure of a refrigerant and its corresponding saturation temperature, known as the refrigerant's boiling point at a given pressure.

For instance, if the gauge indicates a certain saturation pressure, referring to the refrigerant's pressure-temperature relationship chart will allow you to determine the temperature the refrigerant would evaporate at that pressure. Since the chilled water is used to absorb heat from the refrigerant, the temperature of the chilled water will closely approximate the saturation temperature of the refrigerant under these conditions.

This relationship is crucial for engineers and technicians when monitoring and controlling HVAC systems, as it enables them to ensure that the chilled water is at the proper temperature for efficient cooling and system performance.