What is the primary function of a compressor in a refrigeration system?

• A. To produce icy conditions
• B. To draw low pressure, low temperature vapour and compress it
• C. To expand refrigerant gases
• D. To absorb heat from the surroundings

Answer: (B)

The primary function of a compressor in a refrigeration system is to draw low pressure, low temperature vapour and compress it. This process increases the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant vapour, allowing it to flow into the condenser, where it will release heat and change into a liquid state.

In refrigeration cycles, the compressor plays a crucial role in maintaining the circulation of the refrigerant. By compressing the vapour, it effectively prepares the refrigerant to release its absorbed heat later in the cycle, which is essential for the cooling process. The compressor ensures that the refrigerant continuously moves through the system, thus facilitating heat exchange and maintaining the desired cooling function.

The other options do not accurately describe the compressor's role. While producing icy conditions is a result of the refrigeration cycle, it is not the compressor's direct function. Expanding refrigerant gases is typically the role of an expansion device, not the compressor. Absorbing heat from the surroundings is generally associated with the evaporator, where the refrigerant absorbs heat, rather than the compressor itself.