What happens to the refrigerant in the evaporator?

In the evaporator, the refrigerant undergoes a phase change from a liquid to a gas. During this process, it absorbs heat from its surroundings, which allows it to effectively cool the air or other materials that come into contact with it. This heat absorption is crucial because it removes thermal energy from the area being cooled, contributing to the overall efficiency of the refrigeration cycle.

The refrigerant enters the evaporator as a low-pressure liquid and, as it absorbs heat, it evaporates into a gas. This is a fundamental operation within refrigeration and air conditioning systems, as it is responsible for creating the cooling effect that these systems provide. Therefore, the characteristic of the refrigerant absorbing heat and evaporating is integral to the cooling process in these systems.