I am working on assisting a company that suffered a compressor explosion in an ammonia refrigeration system. The reason: liquid ammonia made its way to the compressor. There are a number of compressors used for this system. In order to protect the remaining compressors, I am recommending that they install "traps" or drop legs before each compressor. The company is informing me that these compressors are already protected by the low pressure receiver/accumilator. I need to ask the group if this makes sense. My limited "engineering" understanding of ammonia systems - tells me that every system has to have a low pressure side accumilator - and this vessel(s) are typically located far from the compressors, so how would a low pressure receiver/accumilator be able to protect a compressor from liquid carry over? ANy insights might help me prevent another explosion and save some operators. Thanks in advance.
Seaturtle.........