After the evaporator, which component does the refrigerant go to next?

After the evaporator, which component does the refrigerant go to next?

• A. Condenser
• B. Expansion valve
• C. Receiver
• D. Compressor

Answer: (D)

In a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle, after the evaporator the refrigerant leaves as a low-pressure, low-temperature gas and must be compressed to continue the cycle. The component that does this is the compressor, which raises the gas pressure (and temperature) so it can release heat in the condenser on the high-pressure side. The expansion valve is located before the evaporator (it lowers pressure for the liquid entering the evaporator), the condenser is after the compressor (where high-pressure gas releases heat), and the receiver is a storage point in the liquid line, not the immediate next step after the evaporator. So the next component is the compressor.

In a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle, after the evaporator the refrigerant leaves as a low-pressure, low-temperature gas and must be compressed to continue the cycle. The component that does this is the compressor, which raises the gas pressure (and temperature) so it can release heat in the condenser on the high-pressure side. The expansion valve is located before the evaporator (it lowers pressure for the liquid entering the evaporator), the condenser is after the compressor (where high-pressure gas releases heat), and the receiver is a storage point in the liquid line, not the immediate next step after the evaporator. So the next component is the compressor.