What are the potential causes of liquid slugging in a compressor?

Liquid slugging in a compressor occurs when liquid refrigerant (in this case, liquid ammonia) enters the compressor along with the vapor. This is problematic because compressors are designed to compress gas, not liquids. When liquid enters the compressor, it can lead to significant mechanical issues, including damage to the internal components and possible failure of the compressor.

The scenario where the compressor draws in liquid ammonia from the suction line is a primary cause of liquid slugging. This can happen due to improper system design, insufficient vaporization of refrigerant, or issues with the suction line that allow liquid to accumulate instead of ensuring only vapor is entering the compressor.

While issues like excess refrigerant vapor, insufficient oil, and too high suction pressure may influence the overall operation of the refrigeration system, they do not directly cause liquid slugging in the same way. Therefore, the identification of drawing liquid ammonia directly into the compressor is the most accurate representation of the cause of liquid slugging. It highlights the importance of maintaining proper refrigerant charge and ensuring that all liquid refrigerants are evaporated before reaching the compressor intake.