Accumulator HVAC: Description and Operation

Suction Accumulator:

Installation Position In The Refrigerant Circuit
On the low-pressure side between the evaporator and the compressor.

Function
The accumulator/dehydrator performs the following functions:
- Reservoir for gaseous refrigerant.
- Filter and dehydrator for the refrigerant.
- Protects the compressor from sucking in liquid refrigerant.

Operation
The refrigerant gas is transferred from the evaporator to the accumulator/dehydrator via the inlet line. It flows around the plastic cap and is swirled in the process.

The plastic cap inside the accumulator/dehydrator prevents the air conditioning compressor from drawing in liquid refrigerant.

The dehydrator element absorbs the moisture removed from the refrigerant.

The refrigerant gas collects beneath the plastic cap where it is sucked through the opening in the outlet line. The refrigerant oil at the bottom of the accumulator/dehydrator is sucked out through a filter fixed to the U-pipe and mixed with the refrigerant gas (oil/gas mix: 3 %). This ensures that the moving parts in the compressor are adequately lubricated.