In refrigeration systems, which device prevents liquid refrigerant from returning to the compressor?

In refrigeration systems, which device prevents liquid refrigerant from returning to the compressor?

• A. Liquid line filter drier
• B. Suction line accumulator
• C. Condenser
• D. Expansion valve

Answer: (B)

The main idea is protecting the compressor from liquid slugging by removing liquid from the suction stream. A suction line accumulator sits in the suction line and acts as a separation chamber: liquid refrigerant collects at the bottom while only vapor is drawn into the compressor. This prevents liquid from reaching the compressor, which can cause loss of lubrication, hydraulic lock, or damage. The accumulator also provides some surge storage to handle sudden demand. Other components have different roles: a liquid line filter drier removes moisture and contaminants from the liquid line, not to separate liquid from vapor in the suction; the condenser turns vapor into liquid as part of rejecting heat; the expansion valve meters refrigerant into the evaporator but does not prevent liquid from returning to the compressor.

The main idea is protecting the compressor from liquid slugging by removing liquid from the suction stream. A suction line accumulator sits in the suction line and acts as a separation chamber: liquid refrigerant collects at the bottom while only vapor is drawn into the compressor. This prevents liquid from reaching the compressor, which can cause loss of lubrication, hydraulic lock, or damage. The accumulator also provides some surge storage to handle sudden demand.

Other components have different roles: a liquid line filter drier removes moisture and contaminants from the liquid line, not to separate liquid from vapor in the suction; the condenser turns vapor into liquid as part of rejecting heat; the expansion valve meters refrigerant into the evaporator but does not prevent liquid from returning to the compressor.