Which components in a refrigeration system are responsible for heat exchange?

In a refrigeration system, the components primarily responsible for heat exchange are the evaporator and condenser.

The evaporator absorbs heat from the environment, which causes the refrigerant inside to evaporate and turn from a liquid into a gas. This process cools the surrounding area, which is critical for refrigeration applications.

Conversely, the condenser releases the absorbed heat to the outside environment. In this component, the refrigerant gas that comes from the evaporator is condensed back into a liquid by releasing heat. The cooling effect observed in the refrigeration cycle is a direct result of these heat exchange processes between the evaporator and condenser.

While the other options mention components that play important roles in the refrigeration cycle, they do not specifically engage in the heat exchange process the way the evaporator and condenser do. The compressor primarily circulates the refrigerant and raises its pressure, while the receiver and accumulator serve to store the refrigerant and manage its flow, but they do not directly participate in heat exchange. Understanding these roles helps clarify the importance of the evaporator and condenser in effective refrigeration.