In the fields of lubrication technology and lubricants, refrigeration oils are of prime importance. Refrigerant compressors are expected to have long active service life which means that the lubricants which serve them have high quality requirements. Many different refrigerants are used in systems and as a result, built-for-purpose lubricants have been engineered which are compatible with the.
As a result, hydrocarbon refrigerant lubricants are designed to have favourable miscibility properties with the hydrocarbon refrigerants, as well as good cold-flow properties, high resistance to ageing and high thermal and chemical stability.
However, the interaction with substances, specifically the hydrocarbon refrigerant, requires highly specific demands on the lubrication solution, often when operating at extreme temperature differences. The research and development teams at leading lubricant manufacturers run extensive tests with the refrigeration oils they produce with hydrocarbon refrigerants, to ensure they provide users with a suitable lubricating oil for their system.
The recent phase out of high-GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerants has raised new issues regarding the lubricant selection, although manufacturers have developed special solutions for a wide range of refrigerants, including those based on hydrocarbons.
What are hydrocarbon refrigerants?
While hydrocarbon refrigerants are not a new solution for the cooling and refrigeration industry, they are currently recognised as having increased value because of both the performance and environmental advantages they offer as a refrigerant. From smaller domestic appliances to expansive industrial applications and other systems in between, hydrocarbon refrigerants such as R-600a, R-1270 and R-290 among others are seeing much wider usage.
Like any other refrigerant used within a refrigeration system, there will always be an interaction with the lubrication solution designed to facilitate smooth operation from all working components. As a result, compressor and system reliability and performance and are inextricably tied to the refrigeration-lubricant interaction which must always be optimised. The gains for refrigeration system users using lubricant optimisation with compressor and system designs and hydrocarbon refrigerants include increased energy efficiency, charge optimisation and enhanced durability for compressor bearings and seals.
Hydrocarbon refrigerants are regarded as lower GWP solutions for use in both air conditioning and refrigeration compressor systems. Despite their many benefits over other types of refrigerants concerning their global warming potential, the flammability properties of hydrocarbon refrigerants have raised some concerns. As a result, to guarantee safety, all applications employing hydrocarbons must follow established regulations and standards. To this end, hydrocarbon refrigeration lubricants are designed specifically with the properties to reduce risks associated with the flammability of hydrocarbon refrigerants.
Providing they are used responsibly, hydrocarbons can be used safely in a diverse selection of refrigeration and air conditioning applications. They have already seen use as refrigerants for an extended time especially solutions like R-600a (Iso Butane), R-290 (Propane), and R-1270 (Propylene). These products not only have exceptional thermodynamic properties but are also at least comparable, and in some cases better than other refrigerant types like HCFC and HCF in similar applications.
Common applications for hydrocarbons include domestic freezers and refrigerators, commercial freezers and refrigerators, ice cream freezers, beverage dispensing machines, bottle coolers, beer coolers, supermarket refrigeration systems, dehumidifiers, small air conditioners, heat pump and industrial refrigeration applications.
Properties of hydrocarbon refrigeration lubrications
As mentioned, the demands on hydrocarbon refrigeration lubricants can be considerable. As a result, leading lubrication manufacturers formulate hydrocarbon refrigeration lube to provide specific properties.
Hydrocarbon refrigeration lubricants are created with the highest purity levels possible and are imbued with high levels of age resistance to ensure they offer an extended active service life. These refrigerants have high chemical and thermal stability to ensure low risk use for users and operations and good cold flow properties.
Good miscibility is also important, so lubricants in this class are designed to interact well with hydrocarbon refrigerants specifically to improve performance. To keep systems clean hydrocarbon refrigeration lubricants are also designed with a low depositing tendency. Finally, like all lubricants they are engineered to protect all internal components within the system from wear by sealing parts with an oil film which allows moving parts to move freely while reducing friction.
Multiple lubricants which reduce abrasion, seal refrigerant within the cylinder and cool motors and pumps are compatible with hydrocarbon refrigerants. These include mineral oil, Polyol Ester (POE) and Synthetic Alkylates (SA). It is worth noting that silica-based lubricants are not a compatible product with hydrocarbon refrigerants.
Do you ned hydrocarbon refrigerant lubricants for your operation?
To keep your hydrocarbon refrigeration compressor system working at optimum, protected against wear and tear and secure against potential safety risks, high-quality lubricants which are miscible with this type of refrigerant are essential.
When selecting a lubricant for your refrigeration system it is always important to consult your Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) recommendation. At Oil Store, we supply best-in-class hydrocarbon refrigeration lubricants you can rely on. Browse the brands we stock today or reach out to our team for further information.