In which line will refrigerants be found as high-pressure hot vapor?

• A. Suction line
• B. Discharge line
• C. Liquid line
• D. Evaporator line

Answer: (B)

Refrigerants are found as high-pressure hot vapor in the discharge line. This is because, after the refrigerant is compressed in the compressor, it exits the compressor as a high-pressure gas. The discharge line carries this gas to the condenser, where the refrigerant will subsequently cool and condense into a liquid.

In the context of air conditioning and refrigeration systems, the discharge line plays a crucial role in transferring the high-temperature, high-pressure vapor created during the compression process. This vapor needs to be effectively moved to the condenser to start the process of heat exchange, ultimately allowing the refrigerant to release its heat and transform into a liquid state.

In contrast, the suction line carries low-pressure vapor from the evaporator back to the compressor, the liquid line carries refrigerant in a liquid state from the condenser to the expansion device, and the evaporator line is where refrigerant absorbs heat and changes from liquid to vapor at a low pressure. Each of these lines has a distinct role in the refrigeration cycle, but the discharge line specifically handles the high-pressure hot vapor immediately post-compression.