What will occur in the evaporator if the external equalizer line is disconnected?

In a refrigeration system, the evaporator’s operation is crucial for effective heat exchange. The external equalizer line serves to balance the pressure between the evaporator and the suction line. If this line is disconnected, the pressure inside the evaporator can become unbalanced.

When the external equalizer line is no longer providing the necessary pressure equalization, the evaporator can be subjected to lower pressure than what is optimal for evaporation. This condition can lead to liquid refrigerant not being effectively vaporized and returning to the compressor. As a result, excess refrigerant can accumulate within the evaporator, which causes it to flood. This flooding occurs because the liquid refrigerant does not evaporate fully, creating a situation where there is too much liquid rather than the required vapor.

In conclusion, an unbalanced pressure caused by a disconnected external equalizer line can lead to the evaporator flooding, resulting in poor system performance and potential damage to the refrigeration system due to improper refrigerant flow.