What is the main purpose of the condenser in a refrigeration system?

The main purpose of the condenser in a refrigeration system is to remove heat from the refrigerant. In the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the area being cooled while passing through the evaporator. After this, the refrigerant, now in a gaseous state and carrying the absorbed heat, flows to the condenser.

In the condenser, the refrigerant releases the heat it has taken on from the environment into the outside air or another medium. This heat removal is essential because it allows the refrigerant to change phase from a gas back to a liquid. The efficiency of this heat exchange process is critical for the overall effectiveness of the refrigeration system. As the refrigerant cools and condenses, it prepares to return to the evaporator to repeat the cycle, ensuring that the system can continue to maintain a low temperature in the desired space.

The other options pertain to different components or processes within the refrigeration cycle. Absorbing heat is primarily the role of the evaporator, increasing pressure is typically achieved by the compressor, and expanding the refrigerant is the function of the expansion device, not the condenser. Understanding these specific roles helps clarify why the correct choice focuses on the heat removal function of the condenser.