In an air-cycle cooling system, which component undergoes a pressure and temperature drop during operation?

In an air-cycle cooling system, the expansion turbine is specifically designed to allow the high-pressure, warm air to expand, which results in a drop in both pressure and temperature. As the air passes through the expansion turbine, it does work on the turbine blades, converting some of its internal energy into mechanical energy, and this process is intrinsically associated with the drop in both pressure and temperature of the air.

This characteristic of the expansion turbine is vital for the cooling effect in the system, as the reduction in pressure and temperature facilitates the absorption of heat, allowing for effective cooling in the air conditioning system onboard an aircraft. The other components, such as the heat exchanger and condenser, play roles in exchanging heat but do not experience simultaneous significant drops in both pressure and temperature as the expansion turbine does. The compressor, on the other hand, increases pressure and temperature during its operation, contrasting the primary function of the expansion turbine.