What should an operating engineer do in the event of liquid slugging?

In the scenario of liquid slugging, it is essential for an operating engineer to prioritize the safety and operational integrity of the compressor. Liquid slugging occurs when liquid refrigerant enters the compressor's cylinders, which can cause severe damage. The best response to prevent potential harm is to shut off the compressor.

Shutting off the compressor stops the operation immediately, preventing any further damage that could be caused by the liquid refrigerant. This action allows the system to stabilize and gives the engineer the opportunity to assess and rectify the underlying issue that caused the liquid slugging. After the compressor is turned off, the engineer can investigate the system for issues such as oversized liquid receivers, overcharging of refrigerants, or improper piping that may have contributed to the slugging.

Other choices may not effectively address the immediate danger posed by liquid slugging. Increasing the temperature could exacerbate the issue by encouraging more refrigerant to vaporize into liquid, while allowing the compressor to run longer would only continue the risk of damage. Reducing the refrigerant may also not be an appropriate response without a thorough evaluation of the system's current state, as it does not directly mitigate the immediate risk of liquid slugging.