P. O.

BOX 1, KYAMBOGO-KAMPALA, UGANDA

Tel: +256-41-285272/041287341, www. Kyambogo.ac.ug
Mob +256(0) 772-872439/706332576; E-mail: pascalmusaazi@gmail.com
Environmental Engineer (Senior Lecturer) Kyambogo University

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL AND PRODUCTION ENGINEERING

SECTION OF REFRIGERATION

CHAPTER ONE: REFRIGERATION COMPRESSOR OILS

Prepared by Eng. Musaazi Pascal Ssenkindu (Senior Lecturer)

MIIE; UNARA; MSc (Env. Eng; PgD-RAC; Higher/Ordinary Dipl (Mech. Eng.)

Date: 10th September 2015

 REFRIGERATION COMPRESSOR OILS
Refrigerant Machine Oils as per German Industry Norm (DIN 51503) are minerals or
synthetic carbon hydrogen materials, which can be effective materials.
There are two classes of refrigerant machine oils, namely:
1. KA-Oils for Compressor working with Ammonia;
2. KC-Oil for Compressor working with normal refrigerants.
1.0 Duties of Refrigeration Machine Oils
(i) Smearing - Lubrication of all movable parts in the compressor
(ii) Cooling - Heat transfer to oil Reserviour in the crankcase;
(iii) Sealing up – (crankshaft, piston-cylinder)
2.0 Construction of Refrigeration Machine Oils
Generally oils are mixtures of different carbon-hydrogen materials:
(a) Paraffin
H H H H
H C C C C H
H H H H
The larger the chain, the higher is the viscosity.
(b) Naphthenic
H H H H
H C C C C H
H C C C C H
H H H H
(c) Aromatic
H
C
H H
H H
C
H
(d) Olefin

H H H H H H
C C C C C C
H H

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 (e) Olharze
H H
C C
H C N S O

C C

3.0 Categories of Lubricants H H

Basically there are six main categories of refrigeration lubricants:
(i) Traditional Oils: Mineral Oil (MO); Alkyl-benzene (AB); Poly-alpha-olefin (PAO)
(ii) New Lubricants: Polyol-ester (POE); Poly-vinyl-ether (PVE); Poly-glycol (PAG) and
Hydro-treated mineral oil.
4.0 Types of Refrigeration Machine Oils
Compatibility of various lubricants with HC refrigerants
Lubricant Type* Compatibility

Mineral (MO) Refined from crude oils/Raw oils. Paraffin oil works with Turbo
compressor; Naphthenic oils are good solubility in refrigerants and are
for lower temperatures.
Fully soluble with hydrocarbons. Excessive solubility at high temperature
conditions. Compensate by selection of high viscosity grade oil.
Alkyl benzene (AB) Fully soluble and typical viscosity grades applicable to all applications.
Excellent solubility in refrigerants. Have little inclination from foam
making during compressor operation.
Semi-synthetic A blend of AB and M oils achieving desirable properties for use with
(AB/M) hydrocarbons.
Polyol ester (POE) Generally exhibit excessive solubility with hydrocarbons.
May necessitate higher viscosity grade. For deep temperature of up to –
08OC. Ester oil is for Blended Refrigerants such as R134a and other
new refrigerants. Ester oil =Acid + Alcohol  Ester + H2O
Polyalkylene glycol Soluble and partially soluble with hydrocarbons depending upon the
(PAG) conditions. Normal grades are generally satisfactory. Has cheap low
temperature relationship and is not recommended for refrigerants.
Poly-alpha-olefins Soluble with hydrocarbons but typically used for low temperature.
(PAO) Work with screw compressors and have high Thermic stability, good
refrigerant flow character but have poor solubility in refrigerants.

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5.0 Effects of oils to Compressor Life span
(i) High life span of compressors (Hermetic compressor works between 50,000
and 70,000hours) compared to Motor vehicle oils, which work up to 2000hours
only.
(ii) High Thermic stands taken up to the range of (-50OC to +150OC) and no
exchange effects exist between refrigerant and oil (chemical reaction).
6.0 Characteristics of Refrigeration Oils
(i) Good smearing possibility;
(ii) High Thermic stability (discharge temperature)
(iii) Chemical stability at high and very low temperatures;
(iv) Good mixture with refrigerants; solubility with refrigerants (oil transport);
(v) Good flow relationship by deeper temperatures;
(vi) Neutral relationship between working materials and refrigerants (non-toxic);
(vii) Stability on oxygen;
(viii) Lower water content (30ppm) (water free)  30mgWater/1KgOil
(ix) Solubility
7.0 Properties of Refrigeration Oils
The properties of a good refrigeration lubricant are:
(i) Low wax content. Separation of wax from the refrigeration oil mixture may
plug refrigerant control orifices
(ii) Good thermal stability. It should not form hard carbon deposits and spots in
the compressor, such as in the valves of the discharge port
(iii) Good chemical stability. There should be little or no chemical reaction with
the refrigerant or materials normally found in systems
(iv) Low pour point: This is the ability of the oil to remain in a fluid state at the
lowest temperature in the system
(v) Good miscibility and solubility: Good miscibility ensures that the oil will be
returned to the compressor, although a too high solubility may result in
lubricant being washed off the moving parts
(vi) Low viscosity index: This is the ability of the lubricant to maintain good oiling
properties at high temperatures and good fluidity at low temperatures and to
provide a good lubricating film at all times.
8.0 Handling of refrigeration oils
(i) Sealed storage
(ii) Short contact with air
(iii) No contact with moisture;
(iv) Avoid skin contact
(v) Drain in recycling containers only
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 (vi) Do not mix with engine and gear box oils etc.
9.0 Value for Refrigeration machine Oils
(a) Viscosity:
(i) Dynamic viscosity () measure for the internal friction of liquidity of
gases.

FR
A

y

 Oil FR y 
FR  A  Ns / m 2
y A
Where y = oil thickness;  = velocity; FR = friction force;
A = cross-section area.
(i) Kinematics Viscosity 


  m2 / s Where  = liquid density

v
106m2/s =1mm2/S = 1cSt (centistokes)
(cSt)

32 KC 32 E.G. CFC = KC OR NH3 = KA

t in OC

(b) Neutralization Number (No.) 40OC

It is determinacy of acid content in oils. It is the quantity of mg KOH, which is required
in order to neutralize the acidity in 1g of oils.
KC Oil limit value is N No. = 0.02mgKOH/1gOil (N No. =0.06)
(c) Pour Point / Flow Point
The temperature which the oil can still freely flow under a given limit

-30O C

-20O C
-40O C
Flow Point Flow Point

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(d) Flow possibility in U-tube
The temperature by which the oil in U-tube raises under an high pressure from 9.8
mbar in 10mm/1min. When the Compressor is up on top of the Building and
Evaporator (s) are below into the rooms a U-tube turn (siphon mechanism) for every
2.5m is constructed and the refrigerant speed is 10m/s.
(e) Flaky Point
Flaky point is the temperature by which the flaky paraffin in a mixture of 10% oil and
90% refrigerant separates.
(f) Saponification Number (S No.)
Is the amount of mg KOH required in order to neutralize acidity in 1g Oil, where ester
begins to exist and saponify acidity?
(g) Flame Point: The temperature at which oil begins to burn
(h) Water content
Small containers like bottles, canisters. 30ppm (parts per million)
30mgWater/1KgOil = 10–3g/103g = 1/106
(i) Solubility of Refrigerant-Oil mixtures
(i) Flow ability in the suction line for horizontal line it requires 4m/s of mixture flow
and for vertical line it requires 10m/s of mixture flow;
(ii) Smearing ability in crank case to be easy;
(iii) Foam formation by pressure sinking in the crankcase. Note: crank case
pressure is always 1bar difference from Evaporator suction pressure.
(j) Solubility relationship from Refrigerant-Oil mixtures.
(i) Full solubility;
(ii) Non-solubility (requires oil separator)
(iii) Temperature-and concentration dependence.
Appropriate Lubricant
Refrigerant Mineral Oil Alkyl Polyol Poly alpha Poly alkyl
(MO) Benzene (AB) Ester (POE) Olefin (PAO) Glycol (PAG)
CFC -11 x # xx Xx #
CFC-12 x x xx Xx #
R-502 x x xx Xx #
HCFC-22 x x xx Xx #
HCFC-123 x x xx Xx #
HFC-134a # # x # xx
HFC-404A # # x # xx
HFC-407C # # x # xx
HFC-410A # # x # xx
HFC-507A # # x # xx
HC-600a x xx x X xx
HC-290 x xx x X xx
R-717 (NH3) x xx # X xx
R-744 (CO2) xx xx x X x
X: Good Suitability; xx: Application with limitations; #: Not Suitable

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 Solubility Limit for R22-Reniso KM 32 FTM 120.05

-7 8

4 3 5
-15
Full Solubility

Phase separating range

6 2 7

5 15
48
Oil in R22
10
10% Oil
90% Refrigerant

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8
9
(k) Explanation of the Solubility Limit Graph for R22 –RENISO KM 32
(a) Point 1 on graph at -2.5OC is perfect solubility with a ratio of 15% Oil to 85% R22
indicated on points 2-3.
(b) Temperature -7OC shows the Flaky Point with a ratio of 10% Oil to 90% R22.
(c) At -15 temperature point shows two phase Oil/Refrigerant states:
(i) Points 4-6 shows a poor Oil phase by 5%Oil / 95%R22;
(ii) Points 5-7 shows a rich Oil phase by 48%Oli / 52%R22
(iii) Point 8 shows cooling down without phase separation.
(iv) Outside the phase diagram gives full solubility without phase separation.
(l) Explanation of the Solubility Limit Graph for (A) & (B) R22 –RENISO KM 32
(a) At operating point, t = 20OC gives 4.5bars but at 30OC gives 6.0bars for
Refrigerant.
(b) At 20OC by 12% Oil in Refrigerant gives 10St (Kinematic viscosity) and 21%
refrigerant in Oil which results into low smearing effect.
(c) By t = 20OC gives 4.5bars and 25St (Kinematic viscosity), there is only 12%
refrigerant in Oil which results into high smearing effect and good solubility.
(d) By t = 60OC gives 4.5bars and 12St (Kinematic viscosity), there is only 3%
refrigerant in Oil which results into medium smearing effect and poor solubility.
10.0 THE TRITONS PROGRAMME
Tritons WF is highly refined, good anti-paraffin naphthenic basis of mineral oil, and
is special for Ammonia plant.
Tritons MS the combination of alky-benzene with naphthenic basis of mineral oil
make it chemically stable and high Thermic resistant.
Tritons S Synthetic refrigeration oil is compatible to chemical and Thermic
Alky-benzene stability. Although Tritons MS and Tritons S are not fit for
use with Ammonia, these refrigeration oil are usually being used for
lower temperatures or for propane as is also recommended for
provisional refrigerants e.g. MP39.
Triton A Poly-Alpha-Olefins with its excellent viscosity temperature-
characteristics, has very good chemical and Thermic stability as also
good for lower temperatures use and works as alternative to Triton WF
for Ammonia use.
Triton SE this refrigeration oil is made from synthetic Ester basis for polar, and
ozone neutral refrigerant.
Triton GL Ammonia solubility is possible for Poly alkyl glycol refrigeration oil.

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 CHLORINE – FREE REFRIGERANTS AND REFRIGERATOR OILS
ASHREA Trade Manufacturer Refrigerant Oil
Symbol Name Recommended
R134a Recline Diverse Triton SE/SEZ
R404A HP62 DuPont/Diverse Triton SE/SEZ
R404A Recline R404A Hoechst AG Triton SE/SEZ
R407A FX70 Elf Atochem Triton SE/SEZ
R407C SUVA 9000 DuPont Triton SE/SEZ
R407C Recline HX3 Hoechst AG Triton SE/SEZ
R407C Klea 66 ICI Triton SE/SEZ
R410A AZ 20 Solvay/Allied Signal Triton SE/SEZ
R410B SUVA 9000 DuPont Triton SE/SEZ
R507 AZ50 Solvay/Allied Signal Triton SE/SEZ
R407A/B Klea 60/61 ICI Triton SE/SEZ
R600a/R290 Isobutane/Propane Diverse Triton Ms, WF
R717 Ammonia NH3 Diverse Triton A, WF/GL
R744 Carbon dioxide Diverse RENISO CO2
DROP IN REFRIGERANTS AND REFRIGERATOR OILS
R22 Frigen Diverse Tritons MS, WF
R401A MP 39 DuPont Tritons MS
R401B MP 66 DuPont Tritons MS
R402A/B HP80/81 DuPont Tritons MS
R403A/B 69 S/L Rhone Poulenc Tritons MS
R408A FX10 Elf Atochem Tritons MS
R409A FX 56 Elf Atochem RENISO S, SP, MS
Table 5: Chloral-free and Provisional refrigerants and refrigerant Oils.
RENISO TRITON SE/SEZ (Fully- Synthetic Refrigerator Oils)
Grade and Applications: Polyol esters (POE)
Compressor or SEZ SEZ SEZ SEZ SEZ SEZ SEZ SEZ SE SE
systems 10* 15 19/22 32 55 68 80 100 120 170
R134a
Refrigerators 1 1 1 2 4 4 4 4 4 4
Refrigerated retail 2 1 1 1 2 4 4 4 4 4
displays
Fully- & Semi- 4 4 2 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
hermetically sealed
compressors
Open piston 4 4 3 1 1 1 2 2 3 4
compressor
Screw compressors 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 2 1 1
Turbo compressors 4 4 4 2 1 1 2 2 4 4
R23
Piston & Screw 3 2 1 1 4 4 4 4 4 4
compressors
Key: 1 Very Good; 4 Not recommended; * Available on special request
RENISO WORKING SHEET FOR REFRIGERATION TECHNOLOGY
KM FTM HP5 FTM KMH FTM SP 5 FTM KS FTM KES FTM TES FTM
R12 120.0 R12 120. R12 120. R22 120. R12 120. R12 120. R11 120.
2 07 10 13 15 19 23
R13 120.0 R22 120. R22 120. R50 120. R12 120. R13 120. R12 120.
3 08 11 2 14 B1 16 B1 20 24
R13 120.0 R50 120. R50 120. R22 120. R11 120. R13 120.
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B1 4 2 09 2 12 17 3 21 B1 25
R22 120.0 R50 120. R11 120. C3H 120.
5 2 18 4 22 8 26
R50 120.0
2 6
RENISO KM, HP 5, KMH, SP5, KS, KES, TES Is Refrigerant –Oil Classification
FTM 120…. is Technical Metering of Oil to Refrigerants
Solubility Limit R22 Reniso KC 32 FTM 120.05

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Solubility Limit R22 Reniso KC 32 FTM 120.05

13
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 REFRIGERATION PLANT LAYOUT-MAJOR AND AUXILIALY COMPONENTS
Filter-Drier 6 Green-Liquid Line 6

3I 2I
TC-L PRT 2II
ON2OC
6 OFF 3OC 10
Liquid Solenoid

Delivery Line
TC
Valve

(Red) Gas
CONDENSER
REFRIGERANT
3 4 1I RECEIVER
RT
TC-L
OFF +3OC
ON +5OC
Show Glass

TEV El

Non-Return
Valve
OPEN COMPRESSOR
6 12
SUCTION LINE (BLUE) PC-CO-L PC-CO-H
6 VAPOUR

LP M HP 10 2
1
TC
3 15 INSULATING
4 1I MATERIALS
6
12

TEV El 10
DEEP FREEZER
EVAPORATOR X 2

BY-PASS
SOLENOID VALVE