Oil Separator Function

 Oil Separator Function

The oil separator returns oil to the compressor and is of great importance in:

Large circuits.

Long piping lengths.

Assembling multiple evaporators on a single piston.

Installation Location

The oil separator is installed after the discharge valve and before the condenser, as shown in the picture.

Composition and Components

The oil separator is a cylindrical body, hollow inside, consisting of:

An inlet and outlet port for the refrigerant gas (Freon):

Equipped with a filter to capture impurities resulting from welding, copper filings, etc.

An internal pipe:

Extends down the body and is responsible for returning oil to the compressor.

Equipped with a float that controls the opening and closing of the pipe based on the oil level:

Normal position: 

Closed to prevent Freon leakage.

 When the oil level rises, it opens to allow oil to return.

Pressure Zone:

The oil separator operates in the high-pressure zone.

The oil return pipe is connected to the low-pressure zone in the piston.

Operation Principle:

The oil separator relies on the pressure difference between the high-pressure and low-pressure zones:

When the oil level rises inside the oil separator (in the high-pressure zone), the float moves up and opens the oil return pipe.

Due to the high pressure inside the separator, oil is forced through the pipe to the piston (low-pressure zone).

This ensures that the oil remains permanently inside the piston to maintain lubrication and efficiency.

When the oil level drops, the float returns and closes the pipe again to prevent refrigerant from leaking into the low-pressure zone.