Lubricants

Lubricants

High-Quality Lubricants for HVAC/R Industry

Any air conditioning system that employs a compressor in its compression system requires compressor oil. The oil serves three primary functions. They are utilized for lubrication, heat removal, and sealing. As the piston compresses the refrigerant gas, lubrication cooling is required in reciprocating compressors. The sealing of the piston in the cylinder must also be cooled.

Similarly, lubrication is required for the contact between the cylinder and the motor’s rotor in a rotary compressor. During operation, the lubricant must remove superheat from the screw compressor.

Lubricants and Compressor System

Lubricants have numerous roles in a compressor system. They must, of course, be able to oil the machine. In some systems, the lubricant must both function as a cooling fluid and a sealant. This is why it’s critical to choose the right lubricant for your compressor. If in doubt, consult the manufacturer about the proper oil for the system.

Compressor lubricants are frequently a customized combination of additives and base oils that offer the necessary lubrication while being compatible with the refrigerant. Any conflict between the base oil and the refrigerant might be catastrophic for the device.

Compressor Oil and Refrigerants

Mineral and synthetic oils are the two types of lubricants frequently utilized in compressors. Naphthenic mineral oil (MO) is a popular form of MO.

For a long time, synthetic oils such as glycols, esters, and alkylbenzenes (AB) have been utilized in refrigeration applications without incident.

Mineral oil or alkylbenzene is used as lubricants in CFC refrigerants such as R12, R13, R113, R114, and R115. These lubricants are also used in the design of HCFC refrigerants such as R22, R123, R401A, and R409A.

Because of their ozone-depleting qualities, CFC and HCFC refrigerants have been phased out in recent years. New HFC refrigerants such as R23, R32, R134a, R407A, R407C, and R410A are increasingly being used in HVAC equipment. Polyol esters or POE are used as lubricants in these novel refrigerants.

One disadvantage of POE is that it absorbs moisture several times more than mineral-based oils. As a result, specific procedures must be followed when handling this oil in order to limit its interaction with the environment. To prevent moisture from entering the containers, metal containers are utilized instead of plastic containers.

Common Lubricant Problems

Lubricant issues are widespread in all systems. To prevent problems with the gases being compressed, just eliminate the lubricant from the equation. This is becoming more common as “dry” compressors become increasingly popular. The term “dry” refers to the absence of oil in the compression chamber.

If the lubricant is not present in the compression chamber, it is far less likely to mix with the refrigerant and create issues. In wet or flooded compressors. However, the oil is present in the compression chamber and closely combines with the refrigerant. The compatibility of the lubricant with the refrigerant is critical in these systems.

4 Correct Practices for Keeping Low Moisture Content in POE Oil

• Avoid exposing POE oil to air for any period of time that is unnecessary. When not in use, keep containers of POE oils firmly closed.
• Keep the refrigeration system closed while doing maintenance on the equipment.
• Always store POE oil in its original containers.
• When installing or maintaining refrigerated equipment, use a correctly sized filter drier.