Refrigeration
CO₂ Refrigeration Compressor Lubricants
NEXT Lubricants supplies compressor lubricants for CO₂ refrigeration systems across transcritical booster, subcritical cascade and direct industrial configurations in cold storage, food processing, supermarket refrigeration and ice rink applications. Product selection is based on system configuration, operating pressure range and compressor type.
Knowledge
Lubrication Considerations for CO₂ Refrigeration
CO₂ refrigeration systems operate at significantly higher pressures than conventional refrigerant systems and present distinct lubrication challenges that differ from other refrigeration applications.
CO₂ Solubility in the Lubricant
CO₂ dissolves readily into compressor lubricants under the elevated operating pressures of refrigeration systems. This reduces lubricant viscosity in the oil-refrigerant mixture and influences film behaviour within the compressor — the extent of this effect increases with operating pressure and is particularly relevant in transcritical system configurations.
High Operating Pressures
CO₂ refrigeration compressors operate at pressures significantly higher than conventional refrigerant systems — with transcritical discharge pressures typically between 80 and 130 bar. These elevated pressures influence mechanical loads on compressor components and the behaviour of the lubricant throughout the system.
Low-Side Operating Temperature
In subcritical cascade and low-temperature industrial CO₂ systems, evaporating temperatures can be very low. Lubricant viscosity and flow characteristics at low-side conditions must be sufficient to support oil return and maintain adequate film protection at compressor inlet temperatures.
products
CO₂ Refrigeration Compressor Lubricants
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Find Equivalent CO₂ Refrigeration Compressor Lubricants
Use the NEXT Lubricants cross-reference database to find equivalent alternatives to commonly used CO₂ refrigeration compressor lubricants
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