What component regulates the flow of liquid refrigerant into the evaporator?

The component that regulates the flow of liquid refrigerant into the evaporator is the expansion valve. The expansion valve plays a crucial role in the refrigeration cycle by controlling the amount of refrigerant that enters the evaporator, ensuring that it matches the cooling load requirements.

As refrigerant passes through the expansion valve, it is allowed to expand and reduce its pressure, which in turn causes it to cool. This cooled refrigerant then enters the evaporator, where it can absorb heat from the surrounding environment, effectively cooling the space. By precisely regulating the flow, the expansion valve ensures efficient operation of the refrigeration system, preventing issues such as flooding of the evaporator or inadequate cooling.

The compressor, while essential for circulating refrigerant and increasing its pressure, does not directly control the flow into the evaporator. The control valve may refer to various types of valves used in different systems, but specific to refrigeration, the expansion valve is the correct component for the task described. Similarly, the thermostat is used to monitor temperature and can initiate changes in the system's operation, but it does not regulate the flow of refrigerant directly into the evaporator. Therefore, the expansion valve is the correct answer, as it is specifically designed to manage the refrigerant flow entering the