One of the main functions of the compressor in a refrigeration system is to raise the pressure and temperature of what?

In a refrigeration system, the compressor's primary function is to take in low-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant vapors and compress them into high-pressure, high-temperature vapors. This process involves reducing the volume of the gas, which simultaneously increases its pressure and temperature.

When low-pressure, low-temperature vapors enter the compressor, they are typically the result of the refrigerant having absorbed heat from the surroundings, thus turning from a liquid into a gas. The compressor then mechanically compresses these vapors, raising both their pressure and temperature significantly. The resulting high-pressure, high-temperature vapors are crucial for the next phases of the refrigeration cycle, such as heat rejection in the condenser.

It’s important to consider that the nature of the refrigerant change is critical to the operation of the refrigeration cycle, where heat absorption and rejection are key processes. Thus, the role of the compressor is fundamental to enabling the refrigerant to circulate effectively within the system.