Refrigeration Plant Operator B Practice Test

True or False: The distributor in a refrigeration system should be placed upstream of the expansion valve.

1. True

2. False

3. Only if using liquid refrigerant

4. Only in high-capacity systems

The correct answer is: False

In a refrigeration system, the distributor is typically positioned downstream of the expansion valve. This placement allows the distributor to effectively manage the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator coils after the refrigerant has undergone expansion and has been converted to a low-pressure liquid. When the expansion valve reduces the pressure of the refrigerant, it causes a drop in temperature, allowing the refrigerant to absorb heat effectively during evaporation. By positioning the distributor after the expansion valve, it ensures that the refrigerant is evenly distributed across the evaporator surfaces, maximizing heat exchange efficiency. If the distributor were placed upstream of the expansion valve, it would prevent the refrigerant from being appropriately distributed as a low-pressure liquid, potentially leading to inefficient operation and reduced system performance.