In the refrigeration cycle, which device raises the pressure of the refrigerant on the high-pressure side?

In the refrigeration cycle, which device raises the pressure of the refrigerant on the high-pressure side?

• A. Condenser
• B. Evaporator
• C. Expansion device
• D. Compressor

Answer: (D)

Raising the refrigerant’s pressure on the high-pressure side is done by the compressor. It does work on the refrigerant, compressing low-pressure vapor into high-pressure, high-temperature vapor so it can move through the rest of the cycle toward the condenser. The condenser’s job is to reject heat at that high pressure and condense the vapor into a liquid; it does not increase pressure. The expansion device lowers pressure from high to low to prepare the refrigerant for the evaporator, and the evaporator operates at low pressure to absorb heat from the space being cooled. So the compressor is the component that elevates the pressure of the refrigerant on the high-pressure side.

Raising the refrigerant’s pressure on the high-pressure side is done by the compressor. It does work on the refrigerant, compressing low-pressure vapor into high-pressure, high-temperature vapor so it can move through the rest of the cycle toward the condenser. The condenser’s job is to reject heat at that high pressure and condense the vapor into a liquid; it does not increase pressure. The expansion device lowers pressure from high to low to prepare the refrigerant for the evaporator, and the evaporator operates at low pressure to absorb heat from the space being cooled. So the compressor is the component that elevates the pressure of the refrigerant on the high-pressure side.