What happens to the refrigerant in the compressor of an air conditioning system?

In the compressor of an air conditioning system, the refrigerant is pressurized. This crucial process transforms the refrigerant from a low-pressure gas into a high-pressure gas through mechanical compression. The action of the compressor increases the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant, allowing it to effectively circulate through the system.

As the refrigerant enters the compressor, it typically carries heat from the evaporator coil at a low pressure, and by compressing it, the compressor raises both its pressure and temperature. This pressurized, heated gas then flows to the condenser, where it releases heat and condenses into a liquid. Understanding this role of the compressor is vital for grasping how the refrigeration cycle functions, as it sets the stage for the subsequent heat transfer processes in the system.