Which term describes the actual temperature of refrigerant vapor at the evaporator exit compared to the saturated vapor temperature?

Evaporator Superheat is the correct term for describing the actual temperature of refrigerant vapor at the evaporator exit compared to the saturated vapor temperature. In refrigeration systems, superheat refers to the process of heating vapor refrigerant beyond its saturation temperature after all the liquid has evaporated. This ensures that the refrigerant remains in a vapor state when it exits the evaporator, which is important for preventing liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor and potentially causing damage.

Superheat is measured as the difference between the actual temperature of the vapor and the saturation temperature at the corresponding pressure of that vapor. Proper superheat settings indicate efficient system operation, allowing for optimal cooling without risking compressor damage.

The other terms mentioned do not describe this concept. The latent heat of condensation refers to the heat energy released when vapor condenses into a liquid, while the heat of vaporization is the amount of energy required to change a substance from liquid to vapor. MBH, which stands for "thousand BTU per hour," is a unit of measurement for heat transfer and does not relate to temperature comparison at the evaporator exit. Thus, understanding evaporator superheat is essential for effective maintenance and operation of refrigeration systems.