In refrigeration systems, heat is typically absorbed in which part?

In refrigeration systems, the evaporator is the component responsible for absorbing heat. This occurs during the refrigeration cycle when the refrigerant enters the evaporator as a low-pressure liquid. As it passes through the evaporator coils, it absorbs heat from the surrounding environment, causing the refrigerant to evaporate and change into a low-pressure vapor. This heat absorption is crucial for lowering the temperature inside the refrigerated space, thereby providing the cooling effect that the refrigeration system is designed to achieve.

The other components serve different purposes in the refrigeration cycle: the condenser is where the vapor refrigerant releases heat to the outside environment and condenses back into a liquid; the compressor increases the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant vapor before sending it to the condenser; and the expansion valve controls the flow of the refrigerant into the evaporator, allowing it to expand and facilitate the absorption of heat. Understanding the specific functions of each component is key to grasping how refrigeration systems operate efficiently.