How does a single acting compressor operate?

A single acting compressor operates by compressing the refrigerant gas on only one side of the piston during its working stroke. This design typically uses a piston that moves in a cylinder, where the movement of the piston draws the refrigerant into the cylinder on the intake stroke and then compresses it on the subsequent stroke. The fact that compression occurs solely on one side means that as the piston moves down, it creates a vacuum that allows refrigerant to fill the cylinder. When the piston moves back up, it compresses the gas, driving it out of the compressor to the next stage of the refrigeration process.

This one-sided operation is crucial because it defines how the compressor functions, allowing for efficient movement and compression of the refrigerant without requiring a more complex mechanism. The other options describe various concepts that do not accurately reflect the operation of a single acting compressor, as they imply either dual-side compression, continuous movement without definite compression, or non-compression states that do not characterize this type of compressor.