What type of oil is used in refrigerants?
Refrigerants that commonly used mineral oils were your CFC and HCFC refrigerants such as R-12, R-22, and R-502. Mineral oils can also be used with other refrigerants such as Ammonia or some Hydrocarbons as well. POE Oil, or Poly Olester Oil, is a synthetic oil that was designed to meet the needs of the changing refrigeration industry.
Can mineral oil be used as a refrigerant?
Mineral Oil. Refrigerants that commonly used mineral oils were your CFC and HCFC refrigerants such as R-12, R-22, and R-502. Mineral oils can also be used with other refrigerants such as Ammonia or some Hydrocarbons as well.
What is a refrigerant lubricant?
The goal of a refrigerant lubricant is to lubricate the compressor and to also have the appropriate miscibility and solubility characteristics to interact with the refrigerant accordingly. There are many different types of oil that are used in the refrigeration cycle and it all depends mostly on two things:
What is the role of oil in the refrigerant circuit?
First, a quick summary of the role of oil in the refrigerant circuit: The compressor requires oil for the lubrication of the moving parts in the compressor.
What are the 3 types of oils in refrigerant?
Oil typesMineral – a by-product in the distillation of crude oil to produce gasoline. ... Alkylbenzene (AB) – is a synthetic oil suitable for refrigeration systems using CFC or HCFC refrigerants. ... Polyolester (POE) – the primarily synthetic oil for refrigeration systems using HFC refrigerants.More items...•
What kind of oil is refrigerant oil?
Mineral Oils There are two main types of refrigerant oils: Mineral Oils, and. Synthetic Oils.
Is refrigerant oil the same as compressor oil?
Compressor oil, also known as refrigerant oil, is vital to the operation of the air conditioning (A/C) system.
What is refrigerant compressor oil?
NAPHTHENIC REFRIGERATION COMPRESSOR OIL & LIGHT-DUTY MACHINE OIL. Phillips 66® Refrigerant Compressor Oil is a highly refined naphthenic mineral oil developed primarily for use in reciprocating and rotary screw compressors in refrigeration systems using ammonia, carbon dioxide, or non-HFC refrigerants.
Is refrigerant oil toxic?
Freon is a tasteless, mostly odorless gas. When it is deeply inhaled, it can cut off vital oxygen to your cells and lungs. Limited exposure — for example, a spill on your skin or breathing near an open container — is only mildly harmful. However, you should try to avoid all contact with these types of chemicals.
Does oil and refrigerant mix together?
Therefore, it is important that the oil and the refrigerant are miscible with each other so that oil following the refrigerant out in the system is returned to the compressor and not accumulated in the system. HFC refrigerants are not miscible with the mineral oils used in CFC refrigeration systems.
What color is refrigerant oil?
Refrigerant or PAG (synthetic compressor) oil is clear, he explains. Over time, it picks up moisture and turns acidic, eating away at the condenser, thermal expansion valve, evaporator, fittings, compressor and other metal components. Gradually, the oil turns yellow and darkens as it picks up particles and sludge.
Does compressor oil mixing with refrigerant?
Oil and refrigerant vapor do not mix readily, and the oil can be properly circulated through the system only if gas velocities are high enough to sweep the oil along.
How do I know if my AC compressor needs oil?
If your vehicle lacks compressor oil, there will be some telltale signs like humming sounds, refrigerant leaks, burning smells, and visible smoking.Humming Sounds. If you hear a strange humming noise when switching on your car's A/C system, you may lack compressor oil. ... Refrigerant Leaks. ... Burning Smell. ... Visible Smoke.
How often should the refrigerant oil in a compressor be changed?
At least, you should change the oil in your air compressor once a year. The presence of oil filters that regulates the oil in your compressor is only commonly found in big models. Hence, once the air compressor is opened, it is advisable to change the oil.
How do I add oil to my refrigeration compressor?
How to add oil to air conditioning compressor – final stepsStep 1: Pull the compressor out. ... Step 2: Drain the old car AC compressor oil. ... Step 3: Add the correct quantity of oil. ... Step 4: Cycle the compressor. ... Step 5: Reinstall the compressor. ... Step 6: Recharge the Freon. ... Step 7: Restore everything else.
What are the three main purposes of compressor oil?
Compressor oil is a necessary component in any air conditioning system that uses compressor in its compression system. There are three main purposes of the oil. They are used for lubrication, removal of heat and for sealing.
What type of oil is in 410A?
synthetic oilR-22 air conditioners use mineral oil and R-410A systems use synthetic oil.
What oil is used with R-22?
mineral oilRefrigerant R-22 has been successfully used with mineral oil in residential air-conditioning and heat pump systems (AC/HP).
What color is refrigerant oil?
Refrigerant or PAG (synthetic compressor) oil is clear, he explains. Over time, it picks up moisture and turns acidic, eating away at the condenser, thermal expansion valve, evaporator, fittings, compressor and other metal components. Gradually, the oil turns yellow and darkens as it picks up particles and sludge.
What type of oil does R-22 refrigerant use?
mineral oilExample 1: What Oil Does A R22 Use? ( R22 is a HCFC refrigerant (HydroChloroFluoroCarbon). As for most HCFC refrigerants, you should use mineral oil with R22. Alkylbenyene oil is a good alternative as well because it is miscible with R22 refrigerant.
What is AB oil?
Alkylbenzene (AB) – a synthetic oil suitable for refrigeration systems using CFC or HCFC refrigerants. It is compatible with mineral oil. Compared to mineral oil, it has improved refrigerant miscibility at low-temperature conditions, so it was often used with HCFC refrigerants in commercial refrigeration.
What temperature should a compressor be discharged?
Another factor in lubrication is oil breakdown, which can occur at high temperatures. We should consistently monitor discharge temperatures exiting the compressor to ensure it doesn't exceed 225°, equating to around 300° at the compressor discharge valves (on a reciprocating compressor). This helps to ensure that the oil doesn't break down and “carbonize.” Now, this does vary based on the compressor type, system, and oil type, but it's a generally accepted rule in the absence of a more detailed guideline. On a properly functioning compressor, the mass flow rate (amount of refrigerant moving through the compressor) and the suction gas temperature are the primary factors that impact compressor discharge temperature. Often, high discharge temperatures occur when the suction pressure is low, superheat is low, the compression ratio is high (high head pressure, low suction pressure), or some combination of these issues.
What causes a compressor to start flooded?
A flooded start occurs during startup when liquid refrigerant is allowed to collect in the compressor, suction line, or even in the evaporator. These conditions can cause oil loss from the compressor and oil dilution, resulting in rapid compressor wear. Preventing flooding is a significant part of oil management.
What is the miscibility of oil?
Oil/refrigerant miscibility (how well the oil mixes and moves with the refrigerant) Oil viscosity (oil thickness) Refrigerant velocity throughout the circuit. The oil being utilized should be suited to the refrigerant type and of the proper viscosity for the compressor and the temperature application. Refrigerant velocity should be maintained ...
Why is PVE oil less critical?
With newer oils like POE and PVE, these trapping and oil return strategies have become less critical in high and medium-temperature applications due to the strong miscibility of the oil in the refrigerant. As always, read and follow manufacturers' piping guidelines; the lower the velocity, the more likely the oil is to have issues returning, especially in retrofit applications where some mineral or AB may still be present with the POE or PVE oils.
What is refrigerant migration?
Refrigerant migration is a natural process that occurs during the off-cycle. The refrigerants have an affinity for oil and seek out the lowest-pressure areas, so it only makes sense that some refrigerant would be drawn to the compressor crankcase and may condense there.
How to prevent oil from flooding?
It involves setting superheat properly and using other strategies, such as crankcase heaters, non-bleed expansion valves, and pumping down on the off cycle to help keep liquid refrigerant out of the compressor.
