Condenser, a component of the refrigeration system and a type of heat exchanger, converts gases or vapors into liquids and quickly transfers the heat from the tubes to the surrounding air. The condensation process is a heat-releasing process, hence the temperature of the condenser is usually high.

Power plants use many condensers to condense the steam exhausted from turbines. In refrigeration plants, condensers are used to condense refrigerant vapors such as ammonia and Freon. In the petrochemical industry, condensers are used to condense hydrocarbons and other chemical vapors. In the distillation process, the device that converts vapor into liquid is also called a condenser. All condensers operate by removing the heat from gases or vapors.