What is the compressor's job in the refrigerant cycle?

Prepare for the SkillCat EPA Type 2 Test with interactive flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question is accompanied by hints and explanations. Get ready to pass your exam!

Multiple Choice

What is the compressor's job in the refrigerant cycle?

Explanation:
The compressor’s job is to raise the pressure (and temperature) of the refrigerant vapor after it has absorbed heat in the evaporator. By increasing pressure, the refrigerant becomes hot enough to release that heat to the surroundings in the condenser and condense back into a liquid, driving the cycle forward. It doesn’t cool the refrigerant during compression; in fact, it heats it. It also doesn’t decrease pressure or by itself change phase—the phase changes occur in the evaporator (liquid to vapor) and condenser (vapor to liquid).

The compressor’s job is to raise the pressure (and temperature) of the refrigerant vapor after it has absorbed heat in the evaporator. By increasing pressure, the refrigerant becomes hot enough to release that heat to the surroundings in the condenser and condense back into a liquid, driving the cycle forward. It doesn’t cool the refrigerant during compression; in fact, it heats it. It also doesn’t decrease pressure or by itself change phase—the phase changes occur in the evaporator (liquid to vapor) and condenser (vapor to liquid).

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy