What type of refrigerant flow is adjusted by a thermostatic expansion valve?

A thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) is designed to modulate the flow of refrigerant in response to the cooling demand of the system. Its primary function is to maintain a consistent superheat at the evaporator outlet, ensuring that the evaporator operates efficiently. When the cooling load increases, the TXV allows more refrigerant to flow into the evaporator to absorb the additional heat. Conversely, when the load decreases, the valve reduces the flow of refrigerant, thereby preventing excess refrigerant from entering the evaporator.

This variable flow characteristic of the TXV enables the refrigeration system to respond dynamically to changes in the temperature and load conditions. This adaptability helps optimize energy efficiency and performance.

In contrast, the other options reflect states of refrigerant flow not typically managed by a TXV. Constant flow does not adjust to system demands, reversed flow does not pertain to standard cooling operations, and intermittent flow based on an electrical signal does not align with the typical operation of a TXV, which is based on thermal sensing. This makes variable flow the correct characterization of how a TXV operates within a refrigeration system.