Compressor Oil Return and Sution Line Accumulators

Tip: No Oil Return, It Perhaps Your Accumulator…

By Gary McCreadie

Having oil return issues?  It is likely to be a problem with a plugged display in your suction line accumulator.  If you’re not conscious, suction line accumulators are put in in sequence with the suction line to guard the compressor from liquid returning and inflicting a flood again state of affairs.  It does this by permitting liquid to settle within the base of the cylinder whereas vapour on the high of the vessel will proceed to move again to the compressor.   Within the picture beneath, you discover there’s a small opening on the backside of the U-shaped pipe.  That opening permits for oil return again to the compressor.  If for any purpose that display turns into obstructed, you should have oil return points.  If you’re experiencing oil return points or receiving nuisance oil failure calls, it might be beneficial to exchange the suction line accumulator if every part else checks out okay.    

Try this video, a suction line accumulator was lower open after an oil return situation.

The picture beneath is a implausible lower out instance of a suction line accumulator.  I took this shot on the Emerson Local weather Applied sciences workplace in Brantford, Ontario.  Refrigerant enters the cylinder on the correct hand aspect. If any liquid is current, it can settle on the backside of the cylinder, vapour will journey again to the compressor from the highest proper opening of the U-shaped pipe, exiting out the accumulator on the left hand aspect.  

Try the hyperlink to my YouTube channel for extra ideas, tips, and troubleshooting movies and take a look at the The HVAC Know It All podcast right here or in your favorite podcast app.  Completely happy HVACing…

Gary McCreadie