What is the purpose of oil in flooded screw compressors?

The purpose of oil in flooded screw compressors primarily revolves around sealing between the rotors. In these types of compressors, oil serves as a lubricant that forms a film between the male and female rotors. This oil film helps to minimize metal-to-metal contact, enhancing efficiency and prolonging the life of the compressor by reducing wear and tear on the moving parts.

Additionally, the oil aids in sealing the gaps between the rotors and the compressor casing, which is crucial for maintaining the necessary operating pressures and maximizing compression efficiency. Proper sealing is vital for ensuring that the compressed refrigerant does not leak, which can lead to reduced performance and increased energy consumption.

While other choices provide different functions that might occur in systems using compressors, they do not encapsulate the primary role of oil in a flooded screw compressor as accurately as sealing does.