What is the primary purpose of a refrigeration system?

The primary purpose of a refrigeration system is to remove heat from a designated area to lower its temperature. Refrigeration systems function by transferring heat from a cooler area (such as the inside of a refrigerator or an air-conditioned room) to a warmer area (the outside environment). This is achieved through the refrigeration cycle, which utilizes refrigerants that absorb and release heat as they change states between liquid and gas.

In a refrigeration system, the refrigerant evaporates inside the evaporator coil, absorbing heat from the surrounding environment. This process cools down the air or items inside the designated area. The refrigerant is then compressed, releasing the absorbed heat outside, typically through condenser coils. This continuous cycle effectively lowers the temperature in the targeted space, making refrigeration systems essential for thermal management in applications ranging from food storage to climate control in buildings.

The other options do not align with the main function of refrigeration systems: adding heat is contrary to their purpose, while humidifying air or simply circulating it does not target temperature reduction effectively, which is fundamental to refrigeration.