Why does having a gas or liquid go through a coiled structure cool it down?

Question

For example, in distillation they use the coiled pipes to condense a gas. I assume this would work for cooling liquids as well. Why is this happening? I figure the coiled structure is creating a means for more movement and resistance, which would create more heat.

Answer 1

A coiled tube increases the amount of surface area exposed to the condensing vapor inside. A Graham condenser has a jacket of water surrounding the coiled tube. The coiled structure means you can make the outer jacket relatively small and compact.

A Liebig condenser has a straight tube inside the outer jacket. This is a perfectly good arrangement for many distillations. If it were not, and if you wanted to keep a straight tube, the straight tube would be awfully long, and so would the outer jacket.

Answer 2

The purpose of the coiled condenser/cooler, is to provide a longer tube and therefore more residence time for the warmer substance to give up its heat to the coolant.
The coolant exit from the unit, for maximum cooling, should be at the end of the unit where the hotter fluid enters. (This is called 'Counter-current' fluid flow..

In process operations, where large Heat Exchangers are in operation, they have an internal system of 'Baffle Plates' which have the same function as the coiled glass. They cause the fluid flows to take a similar path to the coils of a glass unit and also cause the fluids to become 'Turbulent' as they flow through the equipment.
The Baffles, turbulence and counter-current flow within the cooler/condenser, will ensure maximum heat exchange between the two fluids.

(Condensation, at NO time causes cooling. Condensation is the removal of Latent Heat..with no temperature change. (Cooling is a decrease in temperature...removal of Sensible Heat.)).

Answer 3

condensation often times does cool something down...but there are a few instances where it does not...arg, I cant remember the whole story, will get back to you later.