NATE Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps Practice Exam

What is the primary purpose of a receiver in a refrigeration system?

1. It prevents liquid refrigerant from slugging the compressor

2. It removes heat from refrigerant vapor

3. It returns oil to the compressor at a tolerable rate

4. It stores liquid refrigerant

The correct answer is: It stores liquid refrigerant

In a refrigeration system, the primary purpose of a receiver is to store liquid refrigerant. The receiver acts as a reservoir that holds excess refrigerant that is not currently being used in the refrigeration cycle. This function is critical, especially in systems with varying loads, as it ensures that there is a readily available supply of refrigerant for the evaporator when required. By maintaining an adequate amount of refrigerant, the receiver helps stabilize the system's operation and improves efficiency. While other components of the system may play roles in preventing slugging of the compressor, removing heat, or managing oil return, the core function of the receiver is indeed the temporary storage of liquid refrigerant, allowing for better control of the system and reducing potential issues associated with fluctuating refrigerant levels.