What form does the refrigerant take as it leaves the condenser of a vapor-cycle cooling system?

As the refrigerant exits the condenser in a vapor-cycle cooling system, it is in the form of a high-pressure liquid. The condenser is responsible for dissipating heat absorbed by the refrigerant from the cabin atmosphere or the space being cooled. During this process, the refrigerant, which has been vaporized in the evaporator, is compressed by the compressor and flows into the condenser as a high-pressure vapor. Inside the condenser, the refrigerant releases heat to the surrounding environment, causing it to condense into a liquid state.

The high pressure is maintained due to the compressor's function, which compresses the vapor before it enters the condenser. Therefore, when the refrigerant leaves the condenser, it is a high-pressure liquid ready to flow through the expansion device (like a thermal expansion valve) and into the evaporator, completing the cooling cycle. This change in state from vapor to liquid at high pressure is crucial for the system's efficiency and overall operation.