At which point in the refrigeration cycle does the refrigerant absorb the most heat?

The point in the refrigeration cycle where the refrigerant absorbs the most heat is in the middle of the evaporator. In this phase, the refrigerant enters the evaporator as a low-pressure liquid and absorbs heat from its surroundings, transforming from a liquid into a vapor. This heat absorption occurs primarily in the middle section of the evaporator, where the heat transfer is maximized due to the greater surface area and better contact with the substance being cooled.

In the compressor outlet, the refrigerant is high-pressure vapor ready to be compressed; while it does have a high energy state, it is not the point where the most heat absorption occurs. The metering device is where the refrigerant experiences a drop in pressure and temperature, preparing it to absorb heat in the evaporator, but it does not absorb heat itself. At the condenser inlet, the refrigerant is transitioning from a vapor to a liquid, which involves releasing heat rather than absorbing it. Thus, the middle of the evaporator is clearly where the most heat absorption takes place in the refrigeration cycle.