Within a flooded evaporator refrigeration system, an accumulator placed at the compressor suction line serves to___________________?
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Answer: A. collect liquid refrigerant and prevent it from going to compressor
Explanation
An accumulator in a flooded evaporator system traps unevaporated liquid refrigerant securely. This separation ensures that only dry vapor enters the compressor suction line during operation. Preventing liquid refrigerant from reaching the compressor avoids severe mechanical damage known as slugging. Flooded evaporators keep heat exchanger surfaces completely wetted with liquid refrigerant for high heat transfer. Excess liquid naturally exits the evaporator along with the vapor and must be captured safely. The accumulator uses gravity and sudden flow direction changes to separate liquid droplets from vapor.
Industrial ammonia refrigeration plants rely on suction accumulators to protect large compressors from failure. Reliable liquid separation prevents costly equipment shutdowns in cold storage and food processing facilities. HVAC system designers incorporate these vessels into all flooded DX and chiller piping configurations. Detecting liquid without capturing it does nothing to prevent compressor internal mechanical damage. Superheating the vapor is typically handled by separate heat exchangers rather than suction accumulators. Collecting vapors is incorrect because vapor must flow freely onward to the compressor suction port.
- Subject
- Engineering
- Category
- Mechanical Engineering
- Topic
- —
- Difficulty
- medium
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