OPTIMIZING LUBRICANTS FOR HYDROCARBON REFRIGERANT APPLICATIONS
ABSTRACT
Hydrocarbon refrigerants, though not new to the industry of cooling and refrigeration, are finding increased value due to environmental and performance benefits as a refrigerant. From small domestic appliances to large industrial systems and applications in between, refrigerants like R-600a, R-290, R-1270 and others are increasing in use.
Like any refrigerant used in a system there will be an interaction with the lubricant that is designed to work within the system. Compressor/System performance and reliability are tied to this lubricant-refrigerant interaction which needs to be optimized. Lubricant optimization with various hydrocarbon refrigerants and compressor/system designs can benefit in energy efficiency gains, charge optimization and compressor bearing durability.
This paper investigates various hydrocarbon refrigerant applications detailing specific needs and challenges that exist when developing a lubricant formulation based on refrigerant lubricant chemistry and additive response, focusing on lubricants that provide overall performance benefits.
Written by: Joe Karnaz (a) - Technical Director, Shrieve; Chris Seeton (b) - Global Application Engineering Director, Shrieve; Liz Dixon (c) - Global Technology Director, Shrieve
Written for: 13th IIR Gustav Lorentzen Conference, Valencia, 2018
CONTENTS
- Introduction
- Lubricants for Hydrocarbon Refrigerants
2.1. Lubricant and Refrigerant Interaction
2.2. Lubricants for R-600a Refrigerant
2.3. Lubricants for R-290 Refrigerant - Conclusions