Industrial Refrigeration
Industrial Refrigeration
Industrial refrigeration systems are used across food processing, cold storage, industrial cooling, freezing and process temperature control — applications where compressor reliability and consistent refrigeration performance are central to operations. These systems use a range of refrigerants — including ammonia (R717), carbon dioxide (R744), propane (R290), isobutane (R600a) and HFC and HFO refrigerants — each with different operating characteristics, compressor requirements and lubrication demands.
NEXT Lubricants supports industrial refrigeration across all major refrigerant types, with compressor lubricants selected based on refrigerant chemistry, compressor design and the specific operating conditions of the installation.
COMPRESSOR FUNCTION
Role of Compressors in Refrigeration Systems
NEXT Lubricants develops high-performance lubricants and fluids for demanding industrial applications including refrigeration, gas compression, air compression, thermal systems and mechanical seal systems. We support OEMs, contractors and industrial operators with specialized lubricants, technical support and global supply.
- Circulating refrigerant through the system to support continuous cooling
- Creating the pressure differentials required for the refrigeration cycle
- Supporting low-temperature protection to manage increasing load viscosity environments
- Optimizing system running efficiency loads including to minimize downtime and maintenance burden
- Contributing to efficient system performance in both cooling and heat pumping applications
Applications
Industrial Refrigeration Application
NEXT Lubricants supports the main industrial refrigeration application segments, each with its own refrigerant chemistry, compressor technology and lubrication demands.
Ammonia Refrigeration
The dominant refrigerant in large industrial refrigeration, used in cold storage, food processing, freezing and industrial cooling where high capacity and long-term operating efficiency are required. Compressors include open-drive and semi-hermetic screw and reciprocating designs from GEA Grasso, Howden, Sabroe and Bitzer.
CO₂ Refrigeration
Used in transcritical booster systems, subcritical cascade configurations and direct industrial CO₂ refrigeration across supermarkets, cold storage, food processing and ice rink applications. Operates at significantly higher pressures than conventional refrigerants.
Hydrocarbon Refrigeration
Industrial and process refrigeration using propane (R290), isobutane (R600a), butane (R600) and other hydrocarbon refrigerants, typically in ATEX-classified installations where natural refrigerants are specified by system design or regulation.
Heat Pumps
Heat recovery and temperature upgrading systems using natural refrigerants — including ammonia, CO₂, propane, butane and pentane — to supply process heat, hot water and district heating from industrial waste heat sources.
EXPERTISE & CAPABILITY
NEXT Lubricants Experience in Refrigeration Systems
NEXT Lubricants supports industrial refrigeration across ammonia (R717), CO₂ (R744), hydrocarbon and HFC/HFO refrigerant systems, working with contractors, OEMs, service partners and end users across cold storage, food processing, industrial cooling and heat pump applications.
Product selection is based on refrigerant type, compressor design and the operating conditions of the specific installation. Technical support is available for new installations, system conversions and ongoing lubricant selection questions.
- Circulating refrigerant through the system to support continuous cooling
- Creating the pressure differentials required for the refrigeration cycle
- Supporting low-temperature protection to manage increasing load viscosity environments
- Optimizing system running efficiency loads including to minimize downtime and maintenance burden
- Contributing to efficient system performance in both cooling and heat pumping applications
Recommendation
Need Help Selecting a Refrigeration Compressor Lubricant?
NEXT Lubricants provides technical lubricant recommendations for compressor applications across multiple indistries.