What does the evaporator do in a refrigeration system?

The function of the evaporator in a refrigeration system is to absorb heat from the surrounding environment. This is a critical component of the cooling cycle, where the evaporator allows the refrigerant to evaporate by absorbing heat. As the refrigerant inside the evaporator evaporates from liquid to gas, it extracts heat from the area that is being cooled, such as the inside of a refrigerator or air conditioning space. This process lowers the temperature in that area, which is the primary goal of the refrigeration cycle.

In contrast, the compressor increases the pressure of the refrigerant vapor, the condenser releases heat into the atmosphere, and a storage tank is not a function of the evaporator in the context of a refrigeration system. These roles are important but pertain to other components of the system working in conjunction with the evaporator to facilitate cooling.