Where does the refrigerant absorb latent heat of vaporization?

The refrigerant absorbs latent heat of vaporization in the evaporator. In this component of the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant exists as a low-pressure liquid that evaporates into a vapor by absorbing heat from the surrounding environment or from the substance being cooled. This process of absorbing heat allows the refrigerant to change from a liquid to a vapor without a change in temperature, which is characteristic of latent heat.

As the refrigerant evaporates, it pulls heat away from the area being cooled, thus lowering the temperature effectively. This is a critical function of the evaporator, making it essential for the refrigeration cycle to remove heat and maintain desired temperatures in refrigerated spaces.

In contrast, the condenser is where the refrigerant releases latent heat as it changes from a vapor back to a liquid. The expansion valve’s role is to reduce the refrigerant's pressure and temperature, which prepares it for the evaporator. Heat exchangers serve different functions within systems but do not directly relate to the absorption of latent heat by the refrigerant.