For many decades refrigeration technology has been an ever-changing environment. It is true, that the basic method of mechanical refrigeration has not changed. The continuous process of compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation which constitute the refrigeration cycle have remained basically unaltered. What has been most dynamic have been the changes to the refrigerants themselves, whether due to environmental, safety or performance reasons.
Refrigerants fall into numerous chemical families. Some of today’s most common being ammonia (R-717), propane (R-290), CO2 (R-744), HFCs (R-134a, R-410a, R-404a) and HFOs (R-1234yf, R-1234ze).
Challenges and Innovations in Refrigerants
HFC refrigerants find their highest general usage in applications such as residential and commercial air conditioners and some larger industrial applications which would not be suited for a toxic refrigerant like ammonia or a flammable refrigerant like propane.
The original, inert CFC compounds used in many applications worldwide have been banned for decades due to their high ODP (Ozone Depleting Potential). CFCs are remarkable chemicals in terms of safety, stability, solvency and efficiency. However, because of their extreme chemical stability and low density, they were found to be migrating to and contributing to high atmospheric ozone depletion. As replacement refrigerant chemistries have come and gone over the years, the goal for CFC alternatives has been to lower the ODP of this class of refrigerants continually. Today’s HFC refrigerants have ODPs that are essentially zero compared to the CFCs and HCFCs of the past.
Compresyn HFC Fluids: A Specialized Solution
This transition posed some new equipment demands, with some of the most critical being on the lubricants used in these refrigerant compressors. Mineral oils and conventional synthetic base fluids are mostly not miscible with HFC refrigerants. This is important because any oil refrigerant mix in the system must effectively bring lubricant back to the compressor completely and efficiently. This can only be done if, at refrigerant operating temperatures, the lubricant-refrigerant combination is in and remains in a clear single phase. Any lubricant separation in the refrigerant loop will compromise efficiency by accumulating on components of the cooling system.
Compresyn HFC fluids have outstanding miscibility to accomplish single-phase performance in HFC refrigerant systems along with outstanding wear protection and compatibility to the metals and components in this equipment. The particular, specialty POE (Polyol Ester) base stocks in Compresyn HFC fluids are atypical and specifically designed for excellent miscibility and low temperature performance.
All this means Compresyn HFC fluids fulfill a specialty lubricant niche which requires a precise combination of chemistry, additives and application knowledge to satisfy the needs of this challenging application in a superior manner.
Compresyn HFC fluids by JAX are available in a wide range of viscosity grades to address the needs of the full range of HFC centrifugal, reciprocating, rotary screw and scroll compression systems. Learn more and request information about this fluid here: (link to new HFC product page).
