A suction-to-liquid line heat exchanger is used to increase what two parameters?

The correct answer highlights that a suction-to-liquid line heat exchanger is crucial for improving both superheat and subcooling within a refrigeration system. Superheat refers to the temperature of the refrigerant vapor that is above its boiling point, while subcooling relates to the temperature of the liquid refrigerant that is below its condensation point.

This heat exchanger functions by capturing heat from the refrigerant vapor line coming from the evaporator and transferring it to the refrigerant in the liquid line before it enters the expansion device. By doing this, one effectively increases the superheat of the vapor entering the compressor, preventing liquid from entering it and avoiding potential damage. At the same time, it enhances the subcooling of the liquid refrigerant, which improves system efficiency by allowing more refrigerant to flow into the evaporator. Consequently, enhancing both superheat and subcooling maximizes the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the refrigeration cycle.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the primary objectives of a suction-to-liquid line heat exchanger, as they either address broader concepts (like efficiency and performance) or focus on parameters that do not directly relate to the specific functions of this type of heat exchanger.