Which of the following statements about the shell and tube refrigeration evaporator is false?

The statement that brine circulates through the tubes in a direct-expansion chiller is indeed false because, in a direct-expansion chiller, it is actually the refrigerant that circulates through the tubes, not brine. In this cooling process, the refrigerant absorbs heat and evaporates as it passes through the evaporator coils. Brine, which is a mixture of water and antifreeze, is typically used in indirect systems where it circulates through the evaporator to transfer heat, but in direct expansion systems, the refrigerant itself serves this purpose.

For clarification on the other statements: the shell and tube evaporator is sometimes referred to as a chiller, reflecting its role in cooling applications. The refrigerant in these systems is indeed contained within the shell, allowing for efficient heat exchange. Additionally, the vapor produced from the refrigerant in the evaporation process is drawn out of the evaporator by the compressor, which is a standard function in refrigeration cycles that helps maintain pressure and facilitates the circulation of refrigerant in the system.