What is the main function of refrigerant condensers?

The main function of refrigerant condensers is to cool the gas refrigerant that has been discharged from the compressor. When the refrigerant is compressed in the compressor, its temperature and pressure rise significantly. The condenser facilitates the process of releasing the heat absorbed from the refrigerated space, allowing the refrigerant to transition from a gas to a liquid phase. As the hot gas passes through the condenser coils, it dissipates heat to the surrounding air or water, depending on the type of condenser being used. This cooling process is critical because it prepares the refrigerant to enter the expansion valve and subsequently the evaporator, where it will absorb heat from the environment to provide cooling.

In contrast, heating the refrigerant before it enters the evaporator, compressing the refrigerant for better flow, or filtering the refrigerant for impurities do not accurately describe the primary role of condensers in the refrigeration cycle. Instead, the focus of the condenser is specifically on cooling and condensing the refrigerant gas, making option B the correct choice.