What is the primary purpose of a compressor in a refrigeration system?

The primary purpose of a compressor in a refrigeration system is to compress refrigerant gas and raise its pressure. The compressor plays a critical role in the refrigeration cycle by taking in low-pressure refrigerant vapor from the evaporator, where the refrigerant absorbs heat from the environment. Once the refrigerant enters the compressor, it is compressed to a high pressure, which raises its temperature as well.

This high-pressure, high-temperature gas then moves on to the condenser, where it can release the absorbed heat to the outside environment and transform into a liquid. The process of compression ensures that the refrigeration system maintains the necessary pressure differential between components, enabling effective heat exchange throughout the cycle. Understanding the function of the compressor as the component that raises both the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant is crucial for optimizing the performance of the entire refrigeration system.