What is the primary function of the compressor in a vapor compression refrigerant system?

What is the primary function of the compressor in a vapor compression refrigerant system?

• A. low-pressure, low-temperature liquid to a high-pressure, high-temperature liquid
• B. high-pressure, high-temperature vapor to a low-pressure, low-temperature vapor
• C. low-pressure, low-temperature vapor to a high-pressure, high-temperature vapor
• D. high-pressure, high-temperature liquid to a low-pressure, low-temperature liquid

Answer: (C)

In a vapor compression cycle, the compressor’s job is to raise the pressure (and thus the temperature) of the refrigerant vapor coming from the evaporator. It takes low-pressure, low-temperature vapor and compresses it into high-pressure, high-temperature vapor so it can give up heat in the condenser. That transformation is exactly what makes the refrigerant able to reject heat and continue circulating. The other parts of the cycle do different tasks: the expansion device drops pressure to prepare for evaporation, and the condenser turns the high-pressure vapor into a liquid by releasing heat.

In a vapor compression cycle, the compressor’s job is to raise the pressure (and thus the temperature) of the refrigerant vapor coming from the evaporator. It takes low-pressure, low-temperature vapor and compresses it into high-pressure, high-temperature vapor so it can give up heat in the condenser. That transformation is exactly what makes the refrigerant able to reject heat and continue circulating. The other parts of the cycle do different tasks: the expansion device drops pressure to prepare for evaporation, and the condenser turns the high-pressure vapor into a liquid by releasing heat.