" If you’re not part

of the Future,
you’re History! "
RSES Kelowna 2001

by

Garth Denison

Sr. Product Application Engineer Sporlan’s Knowledge Series

Sporlan Valve Co. Ltd.

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The Slippery Synthetics

Part One
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The Slippery Synthetics
How are they protecting your investment ?

POE

AB

MO
by

Garth Denison
PAG
Sr. Product Application Engineer
Sporlan Valve Co. Ltd.
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 Presentation Content

1. Glossary of Lubricant Terms

2. The Science of POE’s
3. Material Compatibilities
4. Servicing and Handling of POE’s
5. Dihydrogen Monoxide
6. Lubricant Testing & Instrumentation
7. Polly’s Summary
8. Parting Thought

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 Lubricant Wear Comparison

Automotive engine:
Automobile life expectancy of 160,000 miles
160,000 miles average speed of 40 mph = 4,000 hours.

Mechanical refrigeration compressor:

Refrigeration compressor life expectancy is 15 years.
Average refrigeration compressor operates 18 hours per day
18 x 365 = 6,570 hours per year
6570 x 15 = 98,550 hours or 3,942,000 miles.
Approximately 140 around the world trips.

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 Glossary of Lubricant Terms
Aniline point … is the minimum temperature at which aniline and an oil sample
are completely soluble.
Dielectric strength … a measure of electrical insulating properties of oil.
Flash point … the point where oil will give off flammable vapours when heated.
Floc point … a mixture of oil and refrigerant is chilled and observed at 1F° intervals
until a distinct flocculent material is observed.
Miscibility … capable of being mixed.
Pour point … the lowest temperature at which any movement of the oil can be observed.
Refractive index … the ratio of velocity of light in sample of oil to velocity of light
in a vacuum.
Solubility … capable of being dissolved.
Specific gravity … compares density of oil with water, with both liquids at 60°F (15°C).
Total Acid Number (TAN) … milligrams of potassium hydroxide to neutralize a gram of oil.
Viscosity … a measure of resistance of oil to flow.
Aniline .. A colourless, oily, benzene derivate used to make rubber, resins and varnishes.

Flocculent .. flaky, waxy – forms lumps or masses.

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 Refrigerant Lubricants
Synthetic (A.K.A. designer lubricants)

Refined

Mineral Alklbenzene Polyol ester Polyalkylene Glycol

(MO)
A refined lubricant
Made from Naphthenic crude
High miscibility with CFC’s
Moderate miscibility with HCFC’s
Contains paraffin (wax)
Has a Floc point
Has a Aniline point
Can leave carbon deposits
(AB) (POE) (PAG)
A synthetic lubricant
Synthesized from acid and alcohol
Miscible and compatible with all refrigerants
Miscible and compatible with all lubricants
Compatible with most existing materials
An excellent cleaning and flushing lubricant
Some POE’s are additized more than others
More hygroscopic than mineral or alkylbenzene lubricants
Long term exposure to moisture can cause Hydrolysis
Polar in nature, most expensive of all lubricants

A synthetic lubricant A synthetic lubricant

Does not contain any paraffin Not compatible with chlorinated solvents (R-12)
Does not have a Floc point A very aggressive lubricant – more than POE
Does not have an Aniline point A very hygroscopic lubricant
Does not leave carbon deposits -- 10 time more than POE
High miscibility with CFC’s & HCFC’s -- 100 times more the MO
Miscible & compatible with mineral lubricant Used by the automotive industry
An excellent cleaning & flushing lubricant
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 Lubricant Functions

Purpose: … to minimize friction and prevent wear of moving parts.

Other Functions: …
1. Makes a fluid seal .. prevents blow by

2. Acts as a coolant .. compressor and hermetic motor

3. Dampens mechanical noise .. POE’s 1½ louder, dB scale

4. Provides electrical insulation .. hermetic systems

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The Science of POE’s

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 Polyol Ester Lubricants

Refrigerant Hydrocarbon nProgression Family

Methane C R-12
Ethane C2 R-134a
Propane C3 R-290
Butane C4 R-600
Pentane C5 R-601

Carboxylic (organic) Acid nProgression C4 to C9

Butyric C4
Valeric C5
Hexanoic C6 family of " Fatty acids "
Heptanoic C7
Octanic C8
Nonanoic C9

Poly Functional Alcohols … alcohol / glycol

Neopentyl glycol
Trimethylol propane glycol
Penta erythritol
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 Chemistry Functions

Esterification
A reaction resulting in the formation
of at least one ester product.
Ester is the name for a combined acid and alcohol.

Hydrolysis
Decomposition of a chemical compound
by reaction with water.

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 Lubricant …. 411

Refined Lubricants … mineral oils

Synthetic Lubricants … alkylbenzene

… polyol ester designer lubricants
… polyalkylene glycol

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 Mineral Oil Lubricants
Paraffinic Oil … Typical Chemical Structure

C
|
C
|
C–C–C–C–C–C–C–C–C–C–C–C–C–C
|
C
|
C

Naphthenic Oil … Typical Chemical Structure

C–C C
|
C C–C–C–C–C–C- C–C–C–C–C

C-C

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 Alkylbenzene Lubricants

Alkylbenzene … Typical Chemical Structure

CH3 CH3
| |

| | | [ X
[
CH3 - CH - CH2 - C - CH - CH2 - CH - CH3

CH3 CH3

Benzene

structure comprised of propylene and benzene

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 Polyol Ester Lubricants

Ester Precursors OH
|
C
|
Poly Functional Alcohol: HO – C – C – C – OH
Penta erythritol |
C
|
OH

C
Typical organic acid:
C–C–C–C–C
Valeric Acid
OH

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 Polyol Ester Lubricants

Ester Linkage
O

C–C–C–C–C–O–C–C

Acid Alcohol
Piece Piece

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 By products
H2O
H2O
OH
XX
CO
|
C3H C
X
C
|
C–C–C–C–C

OH
X
+ HO
X –C–C

C
X–C
|
X
|
X – OH
XX

Carboxylic acid XX
OH

O Alcohol

C–C–C–C–C–O–C–C
Ester lubricant
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 Ester Lubricants

Acid + Alcohol + neutralizer = Ester Lubricant

H2O is a by-product

soap
+ + Alcohol Neutralizer
= POE
(Poly functional) (Stabilizer)

Carboxylic Acid
(Mild organic acid)

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 Polyolester Lubricant

Acid + Alcohol + neutralizer = Ester Lubricant

H2O is a by-product

Acid and alcohol are mixed then a neutralizer is added to stabilize the acid above
the saturation point of the acid in the alcohol. Water (H2O) is a by-product of that
process. If H2O (moisture) is introduced into this lubricant it will join with the
alcohol thereby forming free mild acid. That mild free acid can cause corrosion of
metals, similar to the reaction on a soap dish in the bath. That same foreign
substance also attacks refrigerants.

Mild acids will form particulate matter, “Solids” that could restrict fixed orifice
type and / or TEV metering devices. The reaction is similar to the solids that soap
and hard water produce.

Note: Having a TAN number of 0.1 and lubricant at 212°F (100°C) the chemical
reversing process that produces acid will happen, that is through hydrolysis the H2O
will combine with the alcohol thereby freeing up the acid. That same process will
occur at 150°F (65°C) if the TAN number is 5.
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 Esterification Process

Acid + Alcohol = Ester + Water

" When an organic acid and an alcohol reacts, an

organic ester and water is produced
this is called Esterification. "
1994 ASHRAE Refrigeration Handbook

Ester is the name for a combined acid and alcohol.

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 Hydrolysis of Esters

Acid + Alcohol = Ester + Water

" This esterification is reversible. The reverse reaction

of ester and water to produce the alcohol
and organic acid is called Hydrolysis. "
1994 ASHRAE Refrigeration Handbook

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 Lubricant Tribology

If the compressor is the heart of a refrigeration or air conditioning system, that

would make the control system its brain, the refrigerant its lifeblood and the
lubricant its cholesterol. As we all know, cholesterol is needed, but it must be
kept under control. Just as a physician depends on laboratory analysis of a blood
sample for specific ailments or routine physicals, technicians should obtain a
lubricant analysis as part of a problem determination or a periodic check

Refrigeration systems should be as dry as possible internally to avoid ice

formation in expansion devices and to preclude chemical reactions that lead to
corrosion and other undesirable effects. For ice to form, free water must be
present. POE lubricants below their saturation limit of about 1500 ppm contain
no free water. However, moisture below the saturation limit is available to
participate in chemical reactions. Since mineral lubricants are much less
hygroscopic than POE’s, lower moisture levels will result in free water as well
as moisture chemically available for reaction purposes.

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 Generation of Wax

POE contains NO paraffin’s, therefore there can be NO WAX generated

by the POE lubricant. Possible sources for such a product could be:

Drawing lubricants used in the manufacturing of the copper.

Oil used in the hydrostatic testing of the pressure vessels.
Cross lubricant contamination (MO and POE).
Manufacturing lubricants.
Poor servicing of equipment.

POE lubricants are a form of mild organic acid, soap, this will scrub / react with
oxides / contaminants on the tubing walls or any surface they come in contact
with, example, if this lubricant is spilt on the floor it will clean the concrete.

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 Lubricant movement within a typical system

Properly designed refrigeration / air conditioning system

3 to 5% of compressor’s lubricant is in circulation at all times.
MO / AB is approximately 30% miscible with their typical
refrigerant’s, the remaining lubricant travels by peristalsis,
this is caused by the refrigerant’s velocity.

POE lubricants with HCFC or HFC refrigerants are 100% miscible

between from + 176° F (+80° C) through – 76° F (-60° C), therefore
the circulating lubricant travels in suspension.

Miscibility … the ability to mix

Solubility … the ability to dissolve
CST … Critical Solution Temperature
Lubricants are miscible with other lubricants
Lubricants are miscible at different percentages in refrigerant
Moisture (H2O) is soluble in POE lubricant
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 HFC’s and POE’s
O

C–C–C–C–C–O–C–C

Acid Alcohol O
Piece Piece
C–C–C–C–C–O–C–C

Acid Alcohol
Piece Piece
O O

C–C–C–C–C–O–C–C C–C–C–C–C–O–C–C

Acid Alcohol Acid Alcohol

Piece Piece Piece Piece
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 Lubricant Behaviour

Mineral Oil (MO) Based Systems:

Tend to deposit solid contaminants throughout the refrigeration circuit.

Polyol ester (POE) Based Systems:

Tends to remove these deposits, and carry the solids particles in
suspension throughout the system. POE lubricants are somewhat
polar in nature.

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 Lubricant Miscibility Summary
CFC’s -60C 2 phases +73C 2 phases +80 C
w / Mineral oil
-60C 2 phases -27 C 1 phase +80 C
w / Alkylbenzene

HCFC’s
w / Mineral oil -50C 2 phases
+65C
2 phases +72 C

w / Alkylbenzene -50C 2 phases 1 phase +72 C

+66C
w / Polyol ester
-50C 1 phase +72 C

HFC’s -60C 2 phases +52C 2 phases +80 C

w / Mineral oil

-60C 2 phases +57C 2 phases +80 C

w / Alkylbenzene

w / Polyol ester -60C 1 phase +80 C

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Source: DuPont HP P.U.S.H. www.sporlan.com
 R-417A Oil return results:
In a/c mode with the accumulator removed, oil did return to the
compressor but at a much slower rate. It took 2 to 3 times as
long as R-22 during a simulated oil pump-out test.

•Oil Return Problem

Accumulator Issue - Normal Situation
Miscible Refrigerant and Lubricant
Refrigerant vapour to compressor
with small amount of liquid
Vapour & liquid refrigerant and oil entrained.
refrigerant with oil
from evaporator

Refrigerant Vapour
Refrigerant Liquid
Oil

Miscible refrigerant and Small hole at bottom of return tube that allows a small
oil in one layer amount of liquid refrigerant/oil to be returned to
compressor

Source: Honeywell Genetron

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 R-417A Oil return results:
As a heat pump with the accumulator in place, the accumulator
trapped oil in heating mode at temperatures below 30°F (when
refrigerant started to build up in the accumulator). Oil level
continued to drop in the compressor.

•Oil Return Problem

Accumulator Issue - Abnormal Situation
Immiscible Refrigerant and Lubricant
Refrigerant vapour to compressor
with small amount of liquid
Vapour & liquid refrigerant.
refrigerant with oil
from evaporator

Refrigerant Vapour
Refrigerant Liquid
Oil

Lubricant rich layer Small hole at bottom of return tube only allows a small
amount of liquid refrigerant to be returned to compressor
Refrigerant rich layer with no or insufficient oil.

Source: Honeywell Genetron

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 Typical Lubricant Requirements
For Rack Compressors
Compressor operational charge ONLY

Carlyle Copeland
Oil charge 9RS …..… 105 oz
O6D pints
2 cylinder = 3 pints MR …..… 70 oz
4 cylinder = 5 pints (approx) 5F20 5 NR …..… 65 oz
6 cylinder = 8 pints 5F30 5½ 2D …..… 72 oz
O6E 5F40 12 3D …..… 115 oz
4 cylinder = 14 pints 5F60 13 4R/D …….. 125 oz
6 cylinder = 19 pints
5H40 18 6R/DH …….. 130 oz
O6CC 5H46 18 6R/DJ …….. 245 oz
“D” body size 9.5 pints 5H60 21 6R/DT …….. 245 oz
“E” body size 19 pints
5H66 21 ZF09K/ZS21K 38 oz
O5T/O6T 5H80 41
1 ½ to 2 gpm flow rate
ZF11K/ZS26K 38 oz
5H86 41 ZF13K/ZS30K 48 oz
O6N 5H120 61 ZF15K/ZS38K 60 oz
2 gpm flow rate
5H126 61 ZF18K/ZS45K 60 oz
Notes: 1 pint = 16 oz Typical amount of lubricant in circulation per 100 lbs Must add an operational oil charge for the following:
2 pints = 1 quart 1% of 128 = 1.28 oz per 100 lb of refrigerant oil separator, oil float assemblies,
4 quarts = 1 gallon 3% of 128 = 5.4 oz per 100 lb of refrigerant oil reservoir, accumulator etc: 30
1 gal = 128 oz (US) www.sporlan.com Source: Various Carlyle and Copeland engineering bulletins.
Since POE lubricant being 100% miscible in
the refrigerant. Additional lubricant may
need to be added to the system to make
up for the lubricant traveling in
suspension, due to it’s high
miscibility rate.

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 Polyol esters differ from mineral oils
in four basic ways:
1. Extremely hygroscopic
2. Polar in nature
3. Will hydrolyze in the presence of water
4. Possess unique additive packages
5. Chemical stability
Mineral carbonizes at 330° F to 350° F
Alkylbenzene chemically stable to the 390’s ° F
Polyol ester chemically stable to the 490’s ° F
Note: At approximately 300° F the various lubricant’s viscosity has
been reduced (thinned) to a point where most of its lubrication
ability has been lost and mechanical failure will occur.

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 Polar in Nature ?
Mineral oils are composed only of carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms. If the carbon atoms
are in straight chains or branched chains, the oil is classified as paraffinic. If the carbon
atoms are arranged into rings, the oil is classified as naphthenic. In either case, the electrons
are distributed uniformly along the molecule. The electric charges are in balance, so the oil
molecule has little or no electronic polarity.

Esters are one class of synthetic oils. They are made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
The oxygen atoms pull the electrons away from the carbon atoms, so that there is an uneven
distribution of electrons along the backbone of the molecule. This imbalance of electrons
manifests itself as an electronic polarity – the molecule has negative regions and positive
regions. Think of a battery with a negative post and a positive post, batteries are electrically
polar. Esters are electrically polar as well.

Due to their polar nature, esters are better cleaning solvents that mineral oils, but only for
certain types of dirt and contaminants. Esters will attract and hold many particulate, and
other contaminants as suspended solids within the oil. Think of how a wool suit attracts lint
and dust on a dry day. Esters will behave somewhat similarly, attract dust and lint which
may have been sitting in the bottom of a crank case or sludge from inside a condenser coil,
and hold the sludge as a suspension in the oil.
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 POE’s Polar in Nature

Typical POE Molecular Structure

O
Valencies
C–C–C–C–C–O–C–C
C is 4
O is 2
Acid Alcohol
Piece Piece

Electron imbalanced molecule = Polar in nature

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MOISTURE … H2O

ppm

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Moisture Indicators

Moisture Content PPM

Green Chartreuse Yellow
Refrigerant 100°F 75°F
75°F 100°F 75°F 100°F

R-11, R-12 <5 < 10 5-15 10-30 > 15 > 30

R-22 < 30 < 45 30-90 45-130 > 90 > 130

R-134a < 50 < 80 50-200 80-225 > 200 > 225

R-113, R-114, R-502 < 10 < 20 10-45 20-65 > 45 > 65

R-404A, R-507 < 15 < 30 15-90 30-140 > 90 > 140

Condition ... DRY CAUTION WET

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 Understanding Cobalt Salts
High Moisture Function
Cobalt Salt is exposed to water
molecules, allowing the Cobalt
Negative Ions
Ions to blend with water. Pink,
almost colourless complexes
are formed.

Low Moisture Function

As the water content is gradually
Cobalt Ions
reduced, the Cobalt Ions are
increased and bind with Negative
Ions in the Cobalt Salt, creating
a clear blue form.

Yellow & Green Indicators

An inactive colourant is added to change the blue to pink indicator to
green and yellow, since this is easier for the human eye to adapt to.
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 Basic Science
ARI - 710
20 drops of H2O = 1 gram or 1 gram = 20 drops of H2O
1 gram of H2O = 1 cc of H2O
1 ppm = 1 milligram / liter, 1 lb = 453.59 grams

ASHRAE Fundamentals 2001 page 20.33 density of R-718 (H2O)

R-718 @ 60°F = 62.36 lb/cuft
R-718 @ 70°F = 62.30 lb/cuft

Therefore R-718 @ 68°F (20°C) = 62.31 lb/cuft

Specific gravity of various refrigerants at 68°F (20°C).

R-22 specific gravity equals 75.73 / 62.31 = 1.22
R-404A specific gravity equals 66.90 / 62.31 = 1.07
R-134a specific gravity equals 76.44 / 62.31 = 1.23
R-407C specific gravity equals 72.08 / 62.31 = 1.16
Source: DuPont refrigerant thermodynamic tables

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 Grams or CC’s of H2O @ 20°C (68°F)
Pounds of Refrigerant
50 100 250 500 1000 2000

10 0.23 0.5 1.1 2.3 4.5 9.2

30 0.68 1.4 3.4 6.8 13.6 27.2
50 1.1 2.3 5.7 11.3 22.7 45.2
ppm H2O

100 2.3 4.5 11.3 22.7 45.4 90.8

250 5.8 11.3 28.4 56.7 113.4 226.8
500 11.3 22.7 56.7 113.4 226.8 453.6
1000 22.7 45.4 113.4 226.8 453.6 907.2
1500 34.0 68.0 70.1 340.2 680.4 1360.8
2000 45.4 90.7 226.8 453.6 907.2 1814.4
Notes: 1 gram = 20 drops of H2O or 1 gram = 1 cc
ppm’s x weight x 453.59 ÷ 1,000,000 = grams or cc of H2O
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Recommended Maximum
Moisture, H2O Level
Below / Less Than
50 ppm

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Lubricant - reacts with
moisture to form acid

Refrigerant - reacts with

moisture to form acid

Moisture - causes copper

plating and corrosion

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Refrigerant / Lubricant’s effect on
Elastomers ?

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Refrigerant / Lubricant Compatibility

Test results show a certain amount of swell

and loss of properties can be expected
when elastomers are exposed to
refrigerants and lubricants.

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Refrigerant / Lubricant Compatibility

Test results of a Neoprene exposed to:

R-404A and POE, 3% swell

R-22 and Mineral oil, 4.1% swell

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Refrigerant / Lubricant Compatibility

After exposure to R-22 and Mineral oil,

4.1% swell, and subsequent exposure to

R-404A and POE lubricant:

the SWELL went DOWN to 2.6%.

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Servicing / Handling of POE’s

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 Maintenance Considerations

Lubricant analysis
Conduct lubricant analysis to verify systems integrity.
Measure lubricant pressure drop to determine if lubricant filter needs changing.
Measure and record lubricant charge.
Change lubricant when analysis dictates.
Replace lubricant filter periodically.

Refrigerant
Nominator moisture content of refrigerant.
Replace Catch-All periodically and when ever system is opened for servicing.
Conduct analysis of refrigerant if questionable performance.

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 Service Tip
Several months after being retrofitted to a HFC refrigerant and POE lubricant, various refrigeration
systems have experienced plugged liquid line filter or at the TEV. Several laboratory tests were
done on the drier and on the materials that plugged these devices. It has been identified as an
oxidation product of mineral oil.

It seems that at some time in the life of this equipment some air was introduced into the system, and
eventually some of the mineral oil became oxidized, and probably coated parts and components of the
system as a sludge. The POE lubricant, over a period of some months, loosened this sludge and allowed
it to circulate to the TEV’s and filters where it collected and was removed from circulation.

This is a “Service Tip”, we see this scenario occurring from time to time in systems which have been
retrofitted with a POE lubricant. It does not happen in every case, but we should be aware that,
particularly after older systems have been retrofitted, it may be necessary to replace the Catch-All
more than once. The POE lubricant cleans and circulates any sludge which has accumulated in the
system, it may take weeks or months for this to occur. The important point is to be aware that plugged
filters can happen, and it is due simply to the system being cleaned up by the circulation of the POE
lubricant.
Source: DuPont Refrigerant Offering Update, December 1994

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 Service Tip
R-12 and Polyol Ester Oil

Through numerous laboratory and field tests, Copeland has discovered that when
moisture is induced into a system using R-12 refrigerant and POE oil, the refrigerant
becomes acidic and may plug cap tubes and orifices. For this reason, Copeland does
not recommend using R-12 and POE oil together.
Copeland form No. 2000-25

POE lubricants " Clean Out " equipment, they are moderately good cleaning solvents
that will disperse and suspend old sludge, watch for " Brown to Black Oil " and /or
plugged filters, these are sure signs of system contaminates in your equipment.
Tomas Leck, DuPont research lab.

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System Contaminants
Top 10 Major Trouble Makers:

10. Metal chips and dirt

9. Black copper oxide (CuO)
8. Red copper oxide (Cu2O)
7. Black iron oxide (Fe3O4)
6. Red iron oxide (Fe2O3)
5. Material’s compatibility
4. Soldering / Brazing flux’s
3. Anti freeze agents
2. Water
1. Air
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Causes of Sludge with POE:

1. Moisture and Acid

2. Oxidized mineral oil
3. Paraffin’s from mineral oils
4. Drawing compounds from copper
5. Manufacturing lubricants

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 Lubricant Contaminants

Your refrigeration system is like your body. In order to stay healthy and live a
long life, you need to eat well, exercise regularly, and visit your doctor once a
year for a check-up. Your refrigeration system needs the same kind of attention.

If your system develops carbon, wax and sludge (cholesterol), these contaminants
will tend to accumulate on many of your system’s vital components. This can
have long-term damaging effects, and leaving this situation unattended could be
hazardous to your refrigeration system’s health and life.

POE lubricants in conjunction with HFC refrigerants tend to loosen and remove
sludge and other system contaminates that build up on the internal surfaces of the
tubing and other components. This " build-up " can hinder the flow of the
refrigerant and the lubricant that are vital for a properly designed and operational
system. Without this needed and vital movement, premature wear, tear, compressor
overheating, and eventual system failure will occur.

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Lubricant Filtration

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 " OF " Series Oil Filters
* Filtering efficiencies …
99 % of 3 micron size particulate matter
98 % of 2 micron size particulate matter
325 square inches of pleated surface area
High flow capacity low pressure drop
Both High and Low pressure systems
Built in By Pass … 30 psi

Oil Management System

* oil reservoir (OR)
* oil check valve (OCV-20)
* oil level control (OL) OIL LEVEL CONTROL
* oil filter (OF)
10 turns stop to stop
OFE-1 3 ½ turns from top factory setting
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Lubricant Filter … Hermetic Type
With or Without Bypass Feature

Hermetic
* Throw away design
* Generally used on small systems

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 Lubricant Filter … Take Apart Type

Take-Apart
* Filter blocks are replaceable
* Generally used on large systems
* Permanent or Temporarily installed in system
* Must be mounted vertically
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 Handling Waste Lubricants

Considerations:

May be classed as hazardous waste in some areas.

Not to be mixed with other lubricants and / or waste.
Properly disposal methods must be followed.
Lubricants with CFC’s must be recycled / reclaimed.
Lubricants may be corrosive, ignitable / flammable.
Lubricants may contain Hg, Pb, Cd (mercury, lead, cadmium).
May cause skin irritations, especially used lubricants.
Not compatible with certain synthetic rubbers, roofing membranes.
Always wear appropriate safety attire, glassed gloves etc:.

Source: Professor Nick Reggi

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 Handling POE Lubricants

1. POE lubricants is another reason for re-emphasizing good service practices.

2. POE’s attract moisture from the air rapidly and special handling is required
to minimize this.
3. POE’s have been used successfully with HFC’s for the past 10 years
in the HVAC&R industry.

4. Currently tens of millions of pieces of equipment use HFC / POE.

5. POEs provide good lubrication and better thermal stability than

mineral oils, this can lead to longer compressor life.
6. Just like mineral oils, POE’s can degrade under certain conditions. But
these conditions can be minimized, or eliminated by the consistent
use of good service practices.

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 Handling POE Lubricants

7. Use only high quality, OEM approved POE’s.

8. Keep POE containers closed.

9. Minimize the time the system is open.

10. Install caps in lines until they are sealed.

11. Keep the system clean and dry.

12. Not all POE lubricants are interchangeable.

13. Avoid mixing POE lubricants from different manufacturers.

14. 500 micron evacuation WILL NOT separate moisture from POE’s

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 Hygroscopicity
20°C (68°F) and 50 % R.H.
Moisture Absorption
3000

2500
PAG
Moisture ppm

2000

1500

POE
1000

500

0
100 150 200
MO / AB
0 50 250 300

Time, Hours
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 Service Suggestion when
Working using POE’s

Suggestion … Keep / Store the POE lubricants in a clean, dry evacuated reclaim
cylinder. When lubricant is needed for a particular system simply charge the
lubricant directly from this reclaim cylinder into the refrigeration or air conditioning
system. Using this method the POE lubricant will never come in contact with air,
therefore it will keep the moisture content of this lubricant to an absolute minimum.
Example: reclaim 4BA / 4BW 260, 300 or 350 cylinders due to R-410A needing a 400 ratings

POE lubricants:
Can cause skin irritations
Are potent solvents
Have been known to damage some membrane roofing materials

Safety:
Use appropriate gloves and safety glasses
Thoroughly wash with soap and water

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Lubricant Testing and
Instrumentation

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 Lubricant Testing

Note: Having a TAN number of 0.1 and lubricant at 212°F (100°C) the chemical
reversing process that produces acid will happen, that is through hydrolysis the H2O
will combine with the alcohol thereby freeing up the acid. That same process will
occur at 150°F (65°C) if the TAN number is 5.
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What Lubricant is in the
System ?

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Typical Refractometer

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 Refractometer Readings

Approved OEM POE Lubricants:

Copeland, all reciprocating and scroll refrigeration

Emkarate … RL32CF .. 1.4546

Carlyle / Carrier all O6D & O6E

Emkarate … RL68H … 1.4557

Carlyle / Carrier all O5T & O6T screws

Emkarate … RL100S .. 1.4574

Mineral Oils .. 3GS: 1.4942, 4GS: 1.4973, 5GS: 1.4953

Viscosities SUS / ISO (150 / 32) (300 / 68) (500 / 100)

Alkylbenzene … 150: 1.4865, 200TD: 1.4859, 300: 1.4844

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 Cross Lubricant Contamination

Note:
Lubricants are 100% miscible
with each other. Their degree
of miscibility with various
POE
Generally Accepted Lubricants
CFC’s and HCFC’s use MO or AB
HFC’s and PFC’s use POE

%
%
refrigerants varies from

<5
<5
0% to 100%.

MO AB
< 50 %

AB … Alkylbenzene Oil
MO … Mineral Oil
POE … Polyol ester Oil

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 Refractometer Graph
Refractive Index vs Residual Oil Content
1.500

1.495

1.490

1.485

1.480

1.475

1.470

1.465

1.460

1.455

1.450

1.445

1.440
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100

Residual (%, wt) of Old Oil

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Refractometer Eye Piece

1.52 1.52 Scale

1.51 1.51
1.50 1.50
1.49 1.49 Refractive
Index
1.48 1.48 nD
1.47 1.47
1.46 1.46
1.45 1.45
1.44 1.44
nD = reactive Divergence

Note: Always take readings after " De-gassing " lubricant

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 Refractometer Graph
Refractive Index vs Residual Oil Content
1.500

1.495
MO
1.490 1.4942

1.485

1.480

1.475

1.470
Sample lubricant example,
1.465
a reading 1.474 would
POE 1.460 represent 44% residual
1.4557 lubricant.
1.455

1.450

1.445

1.440
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100
POE
Copeland – 1.4546 Residual (%, wt) of Old Oil AB
150 – 1.4856
MO
3C / 3GS – 1.4942
Carlyle O6D/E – 1.4557 200TD – 1.4859 4C / 4GS – 1.4973
Carlyle O5/6T – 1.4574 300 – 1.4844 5C / 5GS – 1.4953
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 Refractometer Graph
Refractive Index vs Residual Oil Content
1.500

1.495
MO

1.490
Acceptable
1.485
range AB
1.4546
1.480
to
1.475
1.4595
1.470

1.465

1.460

POE 1.455

1.450

1.445

1.440
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100
POE
Copeland – 1.4546 Residual (%, wt) of Old Oil AB
150 – 1.4856
MO
3C / 3GS – 1.4942
Carlyle O6D/E – 1.4557 200TD – 1.4859 4C / 4GS – 1.4973
Carlyle O5/6T – 1.4574 Source: Nu-Calgon # 3 – 242 300 – 1.4844 5C / 5GS – 1.4953
Maximum cross lubricant contamination with POE’s is 5% 71
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 Refractometer Graph

Desired refractive range is between

1.4546 to 1.4595

This will ensure less than

5% cross lubricant

Refractometer Sources:

1. ATAGO P/N N-3000

2. Copeland P/N 998-RMET-00
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Service Refractometer

1.4546 to 1.4595

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 Refractometer Eye Piece

1.52 1.52 Scale

1.51 1.51
1.50 1.50
1.49 1.49 Refractive
Index
1.48 1.48 nD
1.47 1.47
1.4595 1.46 1.46
to
1.4545 1.45 1.45
1.44 1.44
Boundary Line nD = reactive Divergence
Boundary Line

Note: Always take readings after " De-gassing " lubricant

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 Polly Ester

Polly’s unsavory background is that she’s nothing but acid and alcohol.
Manufacturers have tried to neutralizer / stabilizer her for years. She
goes everywhere and she’ll pick up anything and everything on her
travels. She’s expensive, $ 40 to $ 50 per gallon. She sucks, very
hygroscopic as she picks up water readily. She’s a loud mouth,
reciprocating compressors using Polly will be about 50% (1-1/2 times)
louder on the dB scale as the same compressor using mineral oil. She’s
a tramp, as Polly is polar in nature she will carry wear particulates in
suspension as she flows throughout the system.

Let’s call her what she is, she’s a bitch.

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Any Questions

?
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 Parting Thought

Empty Large Gravel Sand Beer

Jar Rocks added added added

Empty Jar represents your life, fragile, all encompassing, ready to be filled with life, love and the wonders of the creator.

Fill jar with Large Rocks: the rocks are the important things – your family, your partner, your health, your children –
things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

Add the Gravel: the gravel is the other stuff that matters like your job, your home, your car, your possessions.

Add the Sand: the sand is everything else – the small stuff.

Add the Beer: the beer goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a
couple of beers.
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 Garth Denison
Thanks you for
your time and consideration

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 Visit us at www.sporlan.com

s You
a n k
Th
The Sporlan Valve Company assumes no obligations or liability for any advice furnished or for any results obtained with respect to this information. All such advice is given
and accepted at users risk. This disclosure of information herein is not a license to operate under, or a recommendation to infringe any patent of Sporlan Valve or others.

® Registered trademark of Sporlan Valve Company, Washington, MO USA Dated November 2003
© Copyright 2003 by Sporlan Valve Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1X 1B5 Printed in Canada Supersedes 79
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