1 Lubricating Oils For Screw Compressors: 1.1 Lubricating Oil Selection List
1 Lubricating Oils For Screw Compressors: 1.1 Lubricating Oil Selection List
1 Lubricating Oils For Screw Compressors: 1.1 Lubricating Oil Selection List
XH
GEA Grasso Screw compressor
M Mineral oil
AB Alkyl benzene
PAO Polyalphaolefin
E Polyolester
PAG Polyalkylenglycol
Viscosity
Manufac- at Flash point Pour point NSF
Type of oil Basis Remark
turer 40 deg. C in deg. C in deg. C grade 1)
in cSt
CPI
M* 68 226 -40 H2
1009-68
CPI
CPI
M* 64.9 240 -39 Hydrotrea- H2
1008-68
ted
Klüber
Summit M* 68 240 -39 H2
RHT 68
Klüber
Lubrication Klüber
Summit R PAO 32 > 230 -60 H1
100
Viscosity
Manufac- at Flash point Pour point NSF
Type of oil Basis Remark
turer 40 deg. C in deg. C in deg. C grade 1)
in cSt
Klüber
Summit R 46 > 240 -51 H1
150
Klüber
Summit R 68 > 230 -45 H1
200
Shell
Refrigera-
Shell M* 68 232 -39
tion Oil
S2 FR-A68
Petro-Can-
Reflo 68A M* 58 236 -42 H2
ada
Capella
TEXACO M*-PAO 67 262 -42
Premium
Mogul
Hydrotrea-
Paramo Komprimo M* 68 230 -33 ted
ONC 68
Lunaria
TOTAL M* 68 230 -36
NH 68
Reniso
Fuchs M-PAO 62 250 -48 H2
Ultracool 68
NXT
Next Lubri- NXT-717 1) M* 60.6 249 -42
cants
1)
Application area in the food-processing industry according to NSF (NationalSanitation Foundation,
www.nsf.org)
– H1: Applicable in all food-processing environments where there is the possibility of incidental food contact.
– H2: Applicable in all food-processing environments where there is no possibility of incidental food contact.
2)
Only the oil NXT-717 without suffix is approved for use in Grasso Screw compressors. The products NXT-717-
SC and NXT 717-FG are specially treated oils and not approved for use in Grasso screw compressors.
Viscosity
Manufac- at Flash point Pour point NSF
Type of oil Basis Remark
turer 40 deg. C in deg. C in deg. C grade 1)
in cSt
CPI
CPI PAG 98 226 -40
412-100
Reniso
Fuchs PAG 62 230 -35
PG 68
Please con-
tact
Mobil Zerice S32 AB 32 154 -33
manufac-
turer
1)
Application area in the food-processing industry according to NSF (NationalSanitation Foundation,
www.nsf.org)
– H1: Applicable in all food-processing environments where there is the possibility of incidental food contact.
– H2: Applicable in all food-processing environments where there is no possibility of incidental food contact.
Viscosity
Manufac- at Flash point Pour point NSF
Type of oil Basis Remark
turer 40 deg. C in deg. C in deg. C grade 1)
in cSt
for R22
Aircol 299 M 56 180 -34
only
for R717
Aircol 2294 PAO 69 233 -60
only
Gargoyle
for R717
Arctic SHC PAO 68 266 -45 H1
only
226E
Gargoyle
MOBIL
Arctic AB-PAO 64 211 -54
SHC NH 68
Gargoyle
M 68 200 -42
Arctic 300
Gargoyle
Arctic C M 46 195 -42
Heavy
Reniso
AB 68 190 -33
S68
Reniso
M 46 195 -42
KS 46
Viscosity
Manufac- at Flash point Pour point NSF
Type of oil Basis Remark
turer 40 deg. C in deg. C in deg. C grade 1)
in cSt
Reniso
M 68 200 -39 H2
KC 68
Shell
Refrigera-
tion Oil AB 46 180 -42
S4 FR-V 46
Shell
Shell
Refrigera-
tion Oil AB 68 190 -39
S4 FR-V 68
Reflo
Petro-Can- for R717
Synthetic AB-PAO 62 245 -54
ada only
68A
1)
Application area in the food-processing industry according to NSF (NationalSanitation Foundation,
www.nsf.org)
– H1: Applicable in all food-processing environments where there is the possibility of incidental food contact.
– H2: Applicable in all food-processing environments where there is no possibility of incidental food contact.
Viscosity
Manufac- at Flash point Pour point NSF
Type of oil Basis Remark
turer 40 deg. C in deg. C in deg. C grade 1)
in cSt
Aircol SW
68 245 -39
68
Castrol E
Aircol SW
220 250 -27
220
Reniso
Triton 53 270 -51 H2
SE 55
Reniso
Triton 80 275 -39
SEZ 80
E
Reniso
Fuchs
Triton 91 288 -39
SEZ 100
Reniso
Triton 170 260 -24
SE 170
Shell
Refrigera-
66 230 -42
tion Oil S4
FR-F 68
Shell E
Shell
Refrigera-
94 230 -42
tion Oil S4
FR-F 100
Viscosity
Manufac- at Flash point Pour point NSF
Type of oil Basis Remark
turer 40 deg. C in deg. C in deg. C grade 1)
in cSt
EAL
68 230 -36
Arctic 68
MOBIL E
EAL
105 250 -30
Arctic 100
Planetelf
100 270 -30
ACD 100FY
TOTAL E
Planetelf
150 272 -36
ACD 150FY
1)
Application area in the food-processing industry according to NSF (NationalSanitation Foundation,
www.nsf.org)
– H1: Applicable in all food-processing environments where there is the possibility of incidental food contact.
– H2: Applicable in all food-processing environments where there is no possibility of incidental food contact.
Hint!
When using high-viscosity oils with high refrigerant solubility after initial fill of the plant a suf-
ficient mixture from refrigerant and oil has to be provided before start-up the screw compres-
sor.
Viscosity
Flash Pour-
Manufac- at 40 NSF
Type of oil Basis point point Remark
turer deg. C grade 1)
in deg. C in deg. C
in cSt
CPI
65 224
1515-68 For heavy hydrocarbons,
where strong dilution or
CPI condensation will occur
103 260
1515-100
CPI
PAG 62 229
1516-68
For propane refrigerant
plants or volatile hydrocar-
CPI
92 260 bons, where the danger of
1516-100
stronger dilution or con-
densation does not exist
CPI
153 260 -34
1516-150
CPI
CPI 60 271 For high temperature H2
4600-68
application and for feed
PAO
gas control compressors
CPI
106 271 for gas turbines H2
4600-100
CPI
69 241
9001-68
for feed gas control com-
M
pressors for gas turbines
CPI
108 260 H2
9001-100
Glygoyle
85 226 -45
11
For natural gas and pro-
MOBIL PAG
pane
Glygoyle
177 229 -41
22
Viscosity
Flash Pour-
Manufac- at 40 NSF
Type of oil Basis point point Remark
turer deg. C grade 1)
in deg. C in deg. C
in cSt
Corena
M 68 240 For natural gas
S3 R68
www.nsf.org)
– H1: Applicable in all food-processing environments where there is the possibility of incidental food contact.
– H2: Applicable in all food-processing environments where there is no possibility of incidental food contact.
2) Product re-branded from "TOTAL Primera LPG 150" into "TOTAL DACNIS LPG 150".
Viscosity
Manufac- at Flash point Pour point
Type of oil Basis Remark NSF Grade1)
turer 40 deg. C in deg. C in deg. C
in cSt
CPI
46 H1
4624-46F
CPI PAO
CPI
68 H1
4624-68F
Reniso complete
E* 278 -42 H2
C 85 E miscible
Reniso
Fuchs E* 136 -27
C 130 E
Reniso attend to
E* 170 -30 the miscibil-
C 170 E ity gap
Klüber
Klüber
Summit R PAO 68 > 230 -45 H1
Lubrication
200
Hint!
When using high-viscosity oils with high refrigerant solubility after initial fill of the plant a suf-
ficient mixture from refrigerant and oil has to be provided before start-up the screw compres-
sor.
Table (7): Use of O-ring elastomer in screw compressors depends on refrigerant and lubricant:
Oil
Refrigerant
M*- AB-
M M* AB E PAO PAG
PAO PAO
R22 CR - - CR CR - CR -
Hint!
If natural gas and hydrocarbon compounds are used as compression medium (Table
(5);Page 8), O-ring elastomer should be requested from the manufacturer depending on the
operation condition.
Hint! Caution!
• The pour point describes the cold flu- • The specified range of viscosity of
idity of an oil and represents a non- the lubricating oil upstream of the
guaranteed benchmark value for the compressor has to be observed in
minimum evaporating temperature. any case. At the same time, it must
[The pour point is defined as the tem- be noted that refrigerant/oil combi-
perature at which the fluidity of an oil nations are possible in which,
decreases to an extent that it does dependent on the pressure and
not leave a jar within 5 sec under cer- temperature in the oil separator of
tain conditions.] the package, the refrigerant dis-
solves in the oil. This leads to a
• Compressors are equipped with suit-
reduction of the viscosity of the
able elastomers at the sealing point,
pure oil and to the formation of
which are selected dependent on the
foam when the solution equili-
refrigerant and lubricant. (Table (7);
brium is altered due to pressure
Page 11)
reduction or temperature increase.
• When selecting the type of oil, the In this case, the oil must be cooled
compatibility of the sealant material by a minimum temperature differ-
used in the compressor for o-rings ence, which is calculated in the
(elastomer quality) must be taken into compressor selection programme
consideration in addition to the refrig- for the given operating conditions.
erant. (Table (7); Page 11) The compressor may only be oper-
ated if the oil entry temperature is
• Not all the listed oil types can be used
complied with in accordance with
for an existing compressor. It is abso-
the compressor selection pro-
lutely necessary to assign the oil
gramme!
grade depending on the elastomer
used, even if the refrigerant is the • The oil separation behaviour of the
same. types of oil given in the Table can
vary greatly (e.g. influence of oil
• Oil grades are not always compatible
vapour pressure, oil viscosity, sol-
with each other (cannot be mixed).
ubility, final compression tempera-
• Changing from one oil type to another ture).
can lead to disruptions in the opera-
tion of the compressor and to leak-
ages at the sealing points. The com-
pressor manufacturer should always
be contacted before changing the oil
type.
• Ammonia
With the exception of PAG oil, ammonia is not soluble with other lubricants. The mechanical mixture is very
intense so that oil is always carried with the ammonia. Due to the low share of ammonia, the lubrication of
the oil will not change and the miscibility of oil and refrigerant during the liquid phases is not possible. Effi-
cient oil separation is thus necessary.
• HFC (e.g. R134a, R404A, R507)
HFC contains no chlorine and is not limited in its applications. Ester oil is used for this refrigerant. The
greater solubility of this refrigerant in ester oil needs to be taken into account when selecting an oil, since the
initial viscosity of the oil through the dissolving of refrigerant in the oil can change significantly. However, the
fluidity of the oil in the evaporator is given due to proper miscibility over a wide range.
The most important properties of the main oil groups are described in the following:
1. Mineral oil
Naphten-based mineral oils are best suited for refrigerating plants, but paraffin-based oils are also used.
Special treatment (paraffin removal) means that paraffin-based oils have more or less the same characteris-
tics as naphten-based oils. Mineral oils are characterised by relatively low miscibility with HCFCs (e. g. R22)
at lower temperatures. Mineral oils have a relatively high viscosity index and low steam pressure (high flam-
mability) that positively influences the oil impact.
2. Alkyl benzene (also known as alkyl benzole)
Alkyl benzenes are synthetic oils created from natural gas. They are characterized by high miscibility with
HCFC's (e.g. R22) even at lower evaporating temperatures. Alkyl benzenes have greater thermal stability
than mineral oils (ammonia use in piston compressors). However they have a higher tendency towards foam
formation than mineral oils in the oil separator and thus to greater discharge despite the lower flame point.
When switching from mineral oil to alkyl benzenes, it should be noted that alkyl benzenes have higher clean-
ing efficiency and thus the filter will dirty faster after the oil change.
3. Polyalphaolefin
Polyalphaolefins are synthetic oils with high levels of chemical and thermal stability. They are thus preferred
for use in compressors with high discharge temperatures e. g. in heat pumps Polyalphaolefins are also used
in ammonia plants. The very low pour point creates a very low evaporating temperature. The high flame
point leads to low oil discharge.
The high aniline point of polyalphaolefin causes a relatively high shrinkage of O-rings with CR mate-
rial whereby leakages may occur even at static seals, when mineral oils or alkyl benzenes are
replaced by polyalphaolefins.
Shrinkage can be avoided if synthetic oil mixtures of polyalphaolefin and alkyl benzine are used. For use of
pure PAO oils, Grasso compressors will be equipped with HNBR rings where no shrinking associated with
the oil can occur.
4. Ester oils
As opposed to mineral oils, alkyl benzines and polyalphaolefins, ester oils are soluble in the new non-chlori-
nated HFC's (R134a, R404A, R507 etc.) So ester oils are thus the only lubricant that may be used with
HFCs. Ester oils have a high flash point, whereby the oil vapour share in the oil separator and thus the oil
discharge are positively influenced. Ester oils are hygroscopic. They absorb water when they come into con-
tact with the atmosphere. Ester oils thus need to be stored in sealed containers. The compressors needs to
be thoroughly evacuated before the oil filling.
5. Polyglycol oil
Polygylcol oils are soluble in ammonia and very hygroscopic. They are thus subject to the same handling
conditions as ester oils. When selecting oils the drop in viscosity resulting from dissolving refrigerants in the
oil needs to be taken into consideration. The flowablility of the oil in the evaporator needs to be tested taking
into account the miscibility between the refrigerating machine oil and the refrigerant at each relevant evapo-
rating temperature.
Specific density
The density difference between the coolant and oil may be important for the oil return. Care should be taken
that alkyl benzine has a lower density than mineral oils and polyglycol and greater density than mineral oil.
The methods for measuring density is described in DIN 51757.
Viscosity
In accordance with the ISO 3448 standard lubricants are classified according to viscosity classes listed as
ISO VG No . The ISO No. is only a nominal value in such classes, i. e. the actual viscosity may deviate in
certain areas (DIN 51562). The viscosity entries are based on the temperatures of 40°C and 100°C.
Viscosity index
The viscosity index supplies the connection between the change in viscosity depending on the temperature
(ISO 2909). Greater viscosity index readings mean lower viscosity changes when temperatures change
compared to lower viscosity index values.
Flash point
The flash point indicates at which temperature the vapours escaping from a heated cup may be ignited over
a flame. The measuring method is described in ISO 2592. Oils with higher flash points have lower oil vapour
pressures. This will enhance the possibilities of oil separation from a compressed gas in the oil separator
and reduce the oil carry-over rate from the compressor into the plant.
Pourpoint
The pour point is the temperature, where the flowability of oil declines so that that under certain conditions
no oil will flow from a container within five seconds. In accordance with the standards, the pourpoint temper-
ature is 3% lower than the measured temperature (measuring method in accordance with ISO 3016) The
pour point is interesting for material pairs that are not soluble with one another. Oils with a low pourpoint are
easier to lead back to the suction side than oils with higher pour points. Practice teaches that it is possible to
use oils at evaporating temperatures lower than the pourpoint without having any operational problems.
Floc point
The floc point is the temperature where R12 liquids with a 10% oil admixture will become darkened due to
wax particles separating from the oil when the liquid is cooled (measuring method in accordance with DIN
51351). The floc point is interesting when oils and refrigerants are mixed together. The floc point displays
that an oil has fewer wax components and plants with HCFC (e. g. R22) can be operated at lower evaporat-
ing temperatures. Wax from oil can lead to problems on the expansion valves or on regulating valves. A criti-
cal solution temperature shall be supplied for ester oils using a mixture of 10% oil and 90% R134a. The criti-
cal solution temperature is that which the oil is completely removed from the refrigerant (no standardized
amount).
Aniline point
The aniline point indicates the temperature at which a homogeneous solution will clear when warmed with a
constant volume share of a lubricant or lubrication material or oil and aniline when cooling and clouding
occurs through separation upon cooling. The aniline point is the measurement of unsaturated carbon which
can be found in the oil. It is also the measurement of various sealing materials the oil comes into contact with
(measuring method in accordance with ISO 3977). Most refrigerating machine oils have a low aniline point.
Neoprene or chloroprene o-rings swell and therefore need to be replaced after disassembly. Polyalphaolefin
refrigerating machine oils have a high aniline point so the neoprene will shrink. When using polyalphaolefin
as refrigerating machine oil the use of HNBR as material in the o-rings is necessary.
Neutralization number
The neutralization number displays the acidic value of an oil and is generated using titration with caustic
soda (KOH). The value is provided in mg KOH per g oil (measurement method in accordance with DIN
51558). Fresh oil should have low neutralization number.