The investigation of relationship between lubricating oil and refrigerant in refrigerator compressors

Purpose – Refrigerant fraction and mixture viscosity values were determined for various operating conditions of compressors. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – In this study, an experimental setup that can be used to obtain refrigerant mass fraction and mixture viscosity data is designed and constructed. With the experimental setup, R600a mineral and R134a polyolester compressor lubricant mixtures were examined. Findings – This study presents an experimental procedure for obtaining practical results related to refrigerants used in the refrigeration system. Some properties of refrigerant-lubricant mixtures are very important for the design of compressors and performance of the refrigeration cycle. Originality/value – The paper is of value in presenting an experimental procedure for obtaining practical results pertaining to the tribological and other properties performance of the refrigerants.