In a vapor-cycle cooling system, where does freon absorb heat and change from liquid to gas?

In a vapor-cycle cooling system, the process of heat absorption and the change of the refrigerant (freon) from liquid to gas takes place in the evaporator. In the evaporator, low-pressure liquid refrigerant enters and absorbs heat from the surrounding air or water. This heat absorption causes the refrigerant to change phase from a liquid to a vapor.

The evaporator's primary function is to provide cooling by removing heat from the environment that it is meant to cool. As the refrigerant absorbs heat, its temperature and pressure drop, making it capable of picking up more heat from its surroundings. The vapor that results from this process then flows to the compressor, where it will be pressurized and sent to the condenser.

This phase change and temperature drop are critical to the functioning of the entire vapor-cycle system, enabling efficient heat exchange and the cooling effect required in air-conditioning and refrigeration applications.