Vapour-compression basics: After passing through the expansion (throttle) valve, the refrigerant in a standard vapor-compression system is in which thermodynamic state?

Introduction / Context:
The throttling valve (expansion device) is a key element in a vapor-compression cycle. It produces a large pressure drop with essentially no external work and negligible heat transfer, setting up the low-temperature conditions needed in the evaporator.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Expansion is isenthalpic (constant h) to a good approximation.
• Upstream of the valve, the refrigerant is a high-pressure liquid (often saturated or slightly subcooled).
• Downstream pressure equals evaporator pressure.

Concept / Approach:
When a high-pressure liquid flashes across the throttling device to a much lower pressure, part of it vaporizes to satisfy the energy balance at constant enthalpy. The exit therefore is a two-phase mixture at the lower pressure: a wet vapour with low quality (typically 0.1–0.3), ready to absorb heat in the evaporator.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Plot on a pressure–enthalpy diagram; the throttling line is vertical (constant enthalpy) from saturated liquid region into the two-phase dome.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• High-pressure saturated liquid: describes condenser outlet, not valve outlet.
• Very wet vapour at high pressure: pressure is low after throttling.
• Dry or superheated vapour: requires heat addition after evaporation, not at the valve.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming throttling “cools to vapor”; actually it creates a cold mixture, not dry vapor.

Final Answer:
Wet vapour (low-pressure liquid–vapour mixture)