In a basic vapor-compression cycle, which component comes immediately after the condenser?

In a basic vapor-compression cycle, which component comes immediately after the condenser?

• A. Metering device
• B. Evaporator
• C. Compressor
• D. Receiver

Answer: (A)

After the condenser, the refrigerant is a high‑pressure liquid that must be brought back to a low-pressure, ready-to-boil state. The metering device does exactly that: it throttles the liquid, dropping its pressure and temperature and controlling how much refrigerant enters the evaporator. This pressure drop is essential for the refrigerant to boil in the evaporator and absorb heat from the space being cooled. In many basic diagrams there isn’t a separate receiver shown, so the metering device is the immediate next component after the condenser. If a receiver is present, it sits between the condenser and the metering device to store liquid refrigerant, but the basic flow path still hinges on the metering device being next to enable the cycle to continue. The evaporator would come after the metering device, the vapor goes to the compressor, and then back to the condenser.

After the condenser, the refrigerant is a high‑pressure liquid that must be brought back to a low-pressure, ready-to-boil state. The metering device does exactly that: it throttles the liquid, dropping its pressure and temperature and controlling how much refrigerant enters the evaporator. This pressure drop is essential for the refrigerant to boil in the evaporator and absorb heat from the space being cooled. In many basic diagrams there isn’t a separate receiver shown, so the metering device is the immediate next component after the condenser. If a receiver is present, it sits between the condenser and the metering device to store liquid refrigerant, but the basic flow path still hinges on the metering device being next to enable the cycle to continue. The evaporator would come after the metering device, the vapor goes to the compressor, and then back to the condenser.