What is the internal pressure of a refrigerant cylinder with one ounce of liquid refrigerant compared to a full cylinder?

The internal pressure of a refrigerant cylinder is determined primarily by the type of refrigerant and its temperature rather than the amount contained within the cylinder. In the case of a refrigerant cylinder that has one ounce of liquid refrigerant, the pressure can be similar to that of a full cylinder, provided both are at the same temperature. This is due to the nature of refrigerants, which follow the principles of vapor pressure.

When a liquid refrigerant sits in a closed container, the vapor pressure is established at equilibrium. Even if only a small quantity of liquid is present, as long as it is at the same temperature, the pressure exerted by the vapor above the liquid will remain constant. Therefore, the internal pressure of the cylinder with one ounce of liquid refrigerant will be approximately the same as that of a full cylinder if both are kept at identical temperatures.

It is essential to understand that while the total volume of refrigerant is less in one cylinder than in another, pressure is primarily affected by vapor density and temperature rather than by the quantity of liquid present in this specific scenario.