Evaporator

Inefficiency in heat exchange in an evaporator for a refrigeration system due to maldistribution of incoming refrigerant may be reduced in a structure wherein a plurality of hydraulically parallel flow paths are defined by tubes (20) having ends (84) in the interior of a header (10). Refrigerant inlets (70, 72) are provided for the header (10) at opposite ends (62, 64) thereof to generate streams (78, 80) of incoming refrigerant which impinge upon one another to dissipate the kinetic energy and/or momentum of the streams (78 and 80) which in turn results in an improved distribution of the refrigerant within the header (10). Refrigerant outlets are provided for a header. The outlets are at opposite ends thereof to generate two streams of outgoing refrigerant which reduces outlet resistance and thus provides for more uniform flow of the refrigerant.