In a single acting compressor, where is the refrigerant gas compressed?

In a single acting compressor, the refrigerant gas is compressed only on a designated side of the piston. This design means that the piston moves in one direction to compress the gas on one side while the other side is used for the intake stroke, where the refrigerant is pulled in.

This operational characteristic allows for a more efficient cycle since the compression of the gas occurs without having to deal with the complexities of managing pressure on both sides of the piston simultaneously. The single acting mechanism relies on this directional function to create the necessary pressure differentials for effective gas movement through the system.

In contrast, selecting both sides of the piston as the area of compression would imply the compressor is a double-acting type, which operates quite differently. Similarly, claiming that compression occurs during a complete cycle or only during the intake stroke misunderstands the defined operational phases of a single acting compressor, where distinct strokes perform specific tasks: compression and intake.