What type of system occurs when an evaporator is in direct contact with the space refrigerated?

The term that best describes a system where the evaporator is in direct contact with the space being refrigerated is a direct system. In this configuration, the refrigerant evaporates within the space itself, directly absorbing heat from the space and thereby cooling it. This is commonly seen in equipment such as self-contained refrigerators or air conditioning units where the evaporator coils are situated in the same area as the air being cooled.

In a direct system, as the refrigerant changes from a liquid to a gas in the evaporator, it effectively removes heat from the air, resulting in a cooling effect. This approach offers efficient heat transfer since the evaporator and the space being cooled are in immediate contact.

Other system types, such as indirect systems, involve a secondary fluid or medium used to transfer heat away from the space without direct contact between the refrigerant and the space. Split systems utilize distinct indoor and outdoor components, where the evaporator is typically located indoors, but it still operates under the principles of direct cooling relative to the conditioned space. Closed systems generally refer to refrigerant circulation systems that do not exchange refrigerant with the environment but do not specifically indicate the contact relationship between evaporators and the refrigerated area. Thus, the definition of a direct system aligns accurately with