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

The primary function of a compressor in a refrigeration system is to raise the refrigerant pressure. By compressing the refrigerant, the compressor increases its pressure and temperature, allowing it to move through the system efficiently. When the refrigerant is compressed, it transforms from a low-pressure gas to a high-pressure gas, which is crucial for the refrigeration cycle. This high-pressure gas is then directed to the condenser, where it releases heat and changes into a liquid, enabling the refrigerant to absorb heat from the refrigerated space in the evaporator.

Raising the refrigerant pressure is vital because it ensures that the refrigerant can flow through the condenser, where it dissipates heat to the external environment, and then continue through the system to absorb heat from inside the space being cooled. Thus, the compressor plays a critical role in maintaining the thermodynamic cycle necessary for refrigeration.