During the refrigeration cycle, where does the refrigerant absorb heat?

In the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant absorbs heat in the evaporator. This component is designed to facilitate the heat exchange process by allowing the refrigerant to evaporate and transition from a low-pressure liquid to a low-pressure vapor. As the refrigerant passes through the evaporator, it absorbs heat from the surroundings, typically the air inside a building or the liquid being cooled. This heat absorption causes the refrigerant to evaporate, effectively lowering the temperature in the surrounding area.

In many cooling systems, the evaporator is usually located inside the space being cooled, such as an air conditioning unit or refrigerator, making it critical for the cooling process. The ability of the refrigerant to absorb heat in this stage is what ultimately contributes to the system's cooling effect. By transferring heat from the environment, the refrigerant becomes a gas and continues through the cycle to be compressed, re-condensed, and cycle again to extract more heat.