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

The primary purpose of a receiver in a refrigeration system is to store the system charge. The receiver functions as a storage vessel for refrigerant, allowing the system to maintain an adequate supply of liquid refrigerant for proper operation. By holding the refrigerant, the receiver ensures that there is enough liquid available for the expansion valve or other components downstream, which helps to maintain efficient system performance.

While the transformation of refrigerant gas to liquid and regulating pressure are important functions in various parts of the refrigeration cycle, they are not the main function of the receiver. The receiver does not actively convert refrigerant states; instead, it simply holds the liquid refrigerant that has already been condensed in the system. Likewise, while maintaining temperature is a crucial aspect of refrigeration, it is more related to the overall system’s efficiency rather than the primary role of the receiver.