What is the purpose of a liquid line heat exchanger?

The purpose of a liquid line heat exchanger is to subcool liquid refrigerant. This process occurs after the refrigerant is condensed in the condenser and before it enters the expansion device. By using the heat exchanger, the liquid refrigerant is cooled further below its saturation temperature, enhancing the system’s efficiency.

Subcooling the refrigerant is beneficial because it ensures that no vapor enters the expansion device, which can improve overall system performance and prevent damage to components. Moreover, subcooled liquid refrigerant can absorb more heat from the evaporator, leading to better cooling capacity and efficiency.

The other options do not align with the primary function of a liquid line heat exchanger. While increasing refrigerant pressure or evaporating refrigerants might be relevant in other parts of the refrigeration cycle, they do not describe the key function of a liquid line heat exchanger. Mixing refrigerants is also not a feature of this component, as it is designed to treat a single refrigerant fluid to optimize its thermal properties before it enters the cooling cycle.