What is the state of liquid refrigerant that has passed through a metering device?

The state of the liquid refrigerant that has passed through a metering device is a low-pressure saturated liquid. When refrigerant flows through a metering device, such as an expansion valve or capillary tube, it experiences a drop in pressure. This decrease in pressure results in the refrigerant entering a state where it is still in liquid form but is now at a lower pressure.

In a refrigeration cycle, the metering device is responsible for regulating the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator. As the refrigerant exits the metering device, it is in a low-pressure state and may contain a certain amount of heat absorbed from the environment while still remaining at a low temperature close to saturation. This is precisely the condition needed for the refrigerant to absorb heat effectively as it enters the evaporator, undergoing phase change into vapor as it absorbs additional heat from the surrounding environment.

This understanding highlights the functional role that the metering device plays in the refrigeration cycle, influencing the refrigerant's transition from one state to another while ensuring efficient heat absorption capacity in the evaporator.