Refrigeration
Hydrocarbon Refrigeration Compressor Lubricants
NEXT Lubricants supplies compressor lubricants for hydrocarbon refrigerant systems using propane, isobutane, propylene and butane across industrial cooling, process refrigeration and petrochemical applications. Product selection is based on refrigerant type, evaporating temperature range and the operating conditions of the installation.
Knowledge
Lubrication Considerations for Hydrocarbon Refrigeration
Hydrocarbon refrigerants are miscible with mineral oils and alkylbenzene lubricants, creating specific lubrication considerations that differ from ammonia and CO₂ refrigerant systems.
Refrigerant Miscibility
Hydrocarbon refrigerants such as propane and isobutane are miscible with mineral oils and alkylbenzene lubricants. This affects lubricant viscosity in the refrigerant-rich liquid phase throughout the system and directly influences oil return behaviour from evaporators at low-side operating temperatures.
Low Temperature Fluidity
Lubricant pour point and viscosity at evaporating temperature must be matched to the low-side conditions of the specific system. Insufficient fluidity at evaporating temperatures leads to poor oil return and potential lubricant accumulation in the evaporator, affecting both system efficiency and compressor protection.
ATEX Installation Requirements
Propane, isobutane, propylene and butane are flammable refrigerants requiring ATEX-classified installation environments and Ex-rated equipment. Lubricant selection must be compatible with the seal and elastomer materials used in Ex-rated compressor designs to maintain containment integrity under all operating conditions.
products
Hydrocarbon Refrigeration Compressor Lubricants
NEXT PAO
Ethane/Methane/Ethylene Refrigeration Lubricant
Base Oil: PAO
ISO Range: 15 – 320
NEXT GPL PAG
Propane/ Light Hydrocarbon Refrigeration Lubricant
Base Oil: PAG
ISO Range: 32 – 680
NEXT GPL PAG-WS
Propane/ Heavy Hydrocarbon Refrigeration Lubricant
Base Oil: PAG (EO/PO)
ISO Range: 32 – 320
Cross reference tool
Find Equivalent Hydrocarbon Refrigeration Compressor Lubricants
Use the NEXT Lubricants cross-reference database to find equivalent alternatives to commonly used hydrocarbon refrigeration compressor lubricants
Our technical team can help identify the right product.
Recommendation
Need Help Selecting a Hydrocarbon Refrigeration Compressor Lubricant?
NEXT Lubricants provides technical lubricant recommendations for hydrocarbon refrigerant compressor applications across propane, isobutane, propylene and butane refrigeration systems in industrial and process cooling installations.
Related Applications
Explore Other Refrigeration Compressor Lubricants
NEXT Lubricants supplies compressor lubricants across all major refrigeration applications.
CO₂ Refrigeration Lubricants
Lubricants for CO₂ (R744) refrigeration in transcritical, subcritical and cascade system configurations.
Ammonia Compressor Lubricants
Lubricants for industrial ammonia refrigeration across cold storage, food processing, freezing and industrial cooling applications
Heat Pump Lubricants
Lubricants for CO₂ (R744) refrigeration in transcritical, subcritical and cascade system configurations.
HFC & HFO Refrigeration Lubricants
Lubricants for CO₂ (R744) refrigeration in transcritical, subcritical and cascade system configurations.