During a hot gas defrost cycle, what occurs?

During a hot gas defrost cycle, high-pressure gas from the compressor discharge is piped through the evaporator. This process is designed to eliminate frost or ice that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils, ensuring efficient heat exchange and maintaining the proper functioning of the refrigeration system.

By routing hot gas through the coils, the heat generated helps to melt the ice, allowing the water to drain away. This method is effective because it uses the existing refrigeration system's compressor to provide heat, making it an efficient way to manage and remove frost buildup without needing additional energy sources.

The other options do not accurately represent the function or method of a hot gas defrost cycle:

• Spraying a brine solution over the coils is more typical in certain systems but not in a hot gas defrost cycle specifically.

• Defrosting all units simultaneously is not a requirement and may not be practical, depending on the system design.

• Scale buildup and oil accumulation on the fins is a separate issue related to inadequate maintenance or improper operation, rather than a direct result of the hot gas defrost process.