🔍 Key Concepts

• Effect of a partially clogged or fouled strainer on pressure and flow rate in a liquid refrigerant line • Relationship between liquid line pressure drop and refrigerant temperature (flash gas formation, throttling effect) • How reduced flow of liquid refrigerant affects refrigeration capacity/effect at the evaporator

💭 Think About

• If the liquid line strainer becomes partially fouled, what happens to the refrigerant pressure and flow downstream of the strainer? • How does a pressure drop in a liquid refrigerant line affect its temperature and phase (liquid vs flash gas)? • Would reduced liquid flow to the expansion device and evaporator increase or decrease the overall refrigeration effect of the system?

✅ Before You Answer

• Check whether a pressure drop across the strainer would tend to cool or warm the downstream piping, compared to the upstream piping • Verify how reduced liquid flow to the evaporator impacts the load it can absorb (total refrigeration effect) • Consider whether any cooling of the outlet piping is a surface temperature effect due to flashing, not necessarily an increase in useful refrigeration capacity