A (n) ___________ prevents slugging in a heat pump system.

A (n) ___________ prevents slugging in a heat pump system.

• A. Accumulator
• B. Compressor
• C. Expansion valve
• D. Receiver

Answer: (A)

Slugging happens when liquid refrigerant reaches the compressor, which is designed to handle vapor, not liquid. An accumulator sits on the suction side of the system and acts as a liquid separator. Any liquid refrigerant that’s returned from the evaporator tends to collect in the accumulator, where it has time to vaporize before it proceeds to the compressor. This ensures the compressor only receives vapor, protecting it from damage and stalling that liquid can cause. The other components don’t serve this protective role. The compressor itself can be damaged by liquid in its cylinders and can’t prevent it. The expansion valve controls how much refrigerant and how fast it flows, but it doesn’t remove liquid from the incoming stream on the suction side. The receiver stores liquid on the high-pressure side, but it doesn’t prevent liquid from returning to the compressor and causing slugging.

Slugging happens when liquid refrigerant reaches the compressor, which is designed to handle vapor, not liquid. An accumulator sits on the suction side of the system and acts as a liquid separator. Any liquid refrigerant that’s returned from the evaporator tends to collect in the accumulator, where it has time to vaporize before it proceeds to the compressor. This ensures the compressor only receives vapor, protecting it from damage and stalling that liquid can cause.

The other components don’t serve this protective role. The compressor itself can be damaged by liquid in its cylinders and can’t prevent it. The expansion valve controls how much refrigerant and how fast it flows, but it doesn’t remove liquid from the incoming stream on the suction side. The receiver stores liquid on the high-pressure side, but it doesn’t prevent liquid from returning to the compressor and causing slugging.