A substance, typically a fluid, employed in a refrigeration cycle to absorb heat from one environment and reject it to another, is described by this statement. The operation of refrigerators, air conditioners, and heat pumps relies on the cyclical phase change of this fluid, enabling the transfer of thermal energy. An example is a fluorinated gas used in an air conditioning system to cool the interior of a building.
The concept is fundamental to modern climate control and temperature management technologies. Historically, refrigerants have evolved from naturally occurring substances like ammonia and carbon dioxide to synthetic compounds, each with varying thermodynamic properties and environmental impacts. The effectiveness and safety of these fluids are critical for energy efficiency and minimizing ozone depletion and global warming potential.
