THE EVALUATION OF TRIBOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF MINERAL OILS-R600a REFRIGERANT MIXTURES UNDER STARVED LUBRICATION CONDITIONS

Abstract

In refrigeration compressors, the amount of oil in tribocontacts in certain situations may be insufficient. In this case, poor lubrication conditions may occur. There may also be a situation in which the areas of lubrication lack lubricant and the lubrication of the friction pairs will be carried out by only the refrigerant. The requirements related to legal regulations and concerning refrigerants result in the return to the use of natural substances such as hydrocarbons. These substances do not contribute to the enlargement of the ozone hole and the greenhouse effect. The most commonly used refrigerant in the group of low-capacity devices is R600a (isobutene). The article verifies the test method allowing one to assess lubricity properties of oils for refrigeration compressors in the mixture with a refrigerant under the conditions of poor lubrication. The article also contains the results of wear tests which allow one to assess and contrast lubricity properties of oil–refrigerant mixtures for three mineral oils of the same viscosity grade under the conditions of poor lubrication in cooperation with R600a. The tests were performed for the air, R600a, mineral oils, and oil–refrigerant mixtures.