Where does a flooded system typically supply SAT liquid refrigerant to?

In a flooded refrigeration system, the SAT (Saturated) liquid refrigerant is typically supplied to the surge drum. The surge drum serves as a reservoir that helps maintain a constant supply of refrigerant to the evaporator. When the evaporator operates, it absorbs heat from the surrounding area, causing the liquid refrigerant to evaporate into a gas as it picks up heat.

The surge drum allows for a stable and adequate flow of liquid refrigerant by accommodating fluctuations in the system’s demand and ensuring that there is always sufficient refrigerant available. This helps prevent issues such as flooding of the evaporator or running the system with insufficient refrigerant, which can damage the components and reduce efficiency.

In contrast, the other options serve different roles in the refrigeration cycle. The compressor is responsible for compressing the refrigerant gas and increasing its pressure, not receiving liquid refrigerant directly. The expansion valve is where the refrigerant experiences a drop in pressure, enabling it to expand and absorb heat in the evaporator. The condenser's primary function is to reject heat from the refrigerant gas and condense it back into a liquid, not to receive liquid refrigerant from the system in the manner described for the surge drum.