What is the name given to the refrigerant that forms in the evaporator due to a sudden drop in pressure between the high side and the low side of the system?

The term for the refrigerant that forms in the evaporator as a result of a sudden drop in pressure between the high and low sides of the system is known as flash gas. This occurs when liquid refrigerant enters a lower-pressure area rapidly, leading to a portion of the liquid evaporating instantly into gas. The process is crucial for the effective operation of refrigeration systems, as the initial phase change from liquid to gas at the evaporator helps absorb heat from the environment, thereby cooling the area intended for refrigeration.

Flash gas is an important concept in understanding how refrigerants behave under varying pressure conditions. In contrast, flooding refers to a situation where excess liquid refrigerant accumulates in the evaporator, which is not the same as the formation of flash gas. Gas cross charging pertains to the undesirable mixing of different refrigerants, and sub-cooling refers to the process of cooling the refrigerant below its condensation point, which does not accurately describe the scenario presented.