evaporator
Definition
Noun: A device or apparatus used to convert a liquid into vapor, typically by applying heat. In technical contexts, an "evaporator" is a component in systems like refrigeration, air conditioning, or chemical processing where evaporation is induced to concentrate solutions, remove moisture, or transfer heat.
Usage Examples
- (The part that turns refrigerant from liquid to gas.)
- (A machine that boils off liquid to thicken the product.)
- (A device for controlled evaporation in scientific experiments.)
Advanced Usage
"Evaporator coil": A specific type of evaporator in HVAC systems, consisting of a coil of tubing where refrigerant evaporates.
- The evaporator coil must be kept clean for efficient cooling. (The coil that facilitates heat exchange.)
"Evaporator pan": A shallow container in which liquid is heated to cause evaporation, often used in salt production or humidifiers.
- The evaporator pan in the humidifier slowly releases water vapor into the air. (The pan that holds water for evaporation.)
Variants and Related Words
- Evaporate (verb): to change from a liquid into a vapor.
- The water will evaporate quickly in the sun. (Turn into vapor.)
- Evaporation (noun): the process of turning from liquid to vapor.
- Evaporation is a key step in the distillation process. (The act of evaporating.)
- Evaporative (adjective): relating to or involving evaporation.
- Evaporative cooling uses water evaporation to lower temperature. (Cooling by evaporation.)
Synonyms
- Vaporizer: a device that turns a liquid into vapor, especially for medical or aromatic use.
- Concentrator: a machine that removes liquid to make a solution stronger (often overlaps with evaporator function).
- Distiller: an apparatus that evaporates and then condenses a liquid to purify it.
Related Idioms