Many of today’s industrial refrigeration systems are of

compression type and use a range of refrigerant fluids to

generate cooling via the compression/expansion cycle. The

following fluids are the most popular in refrigeration industry:

HCFCs • (HydroChloroFluoroCarbons: R-22 /R-401 / R-414…)

HFCs • (HydroFluoroCarbons: R-134a / R-404a / R-507,…)

HCs • (HydroCarbons: R-600a-Isobutane / R-290- Propane,…)

Ammonia • (R-717)

CO • 2 (R-744)

Each refrigerant fluid requires a specific lubricant technology

and viscosity grade according to the application.

The Montreal Protocol (signed 1989) defined new

rules to protect the ozone layer. Refrigerant fluids were

classified according to their ODP (Ozone Depletion

Potential). In turn, production of CFCs was forbidden from

31 December 1994, and the use and production of

HCFCs were progressively restricted with complete

elimination expected by 2020. Therefore HFCs, having

acceptable ODP, were developed to meet with Montreal

Protocol new requirements.

The Kyoto Protocol (signed 1997) defined rules to

fight against warming process, and refrigerant fluids are

now classified according to their GWP (Global Warming

Potential). It also impacts some HFCs with high GWP,

like R-134a.

New international decisions on HCFCs / R-22

In September 2007, new international decisions, part of

Montreal Protocol, claimed prohibition of HCFCs / R-22

in new plants by 1 st September 2010. Furthermore, in

Europe it has been decided to end the use of new

HCFC / R-22 for maintenance of existing plants by the

same date. So, only recycled HCFCs / R-22 can be used for

maintenance, but expected available quantity cannot cover

the needs. So the change from HCFCs to new refrigerant

fluids, compatible with both the Montreal and Kyoto

protocols is compulsory and urgent. The main concern is

R-22 with numerous switch over expected.

Refrigeration Oils in industrial applications and 2010 legislation change : switch from HCFCs (HydroChloro FluoroCarbons) to HFCs and Ammonia

What solutions are there to meet the new legislation?

Today the possible solutions are :

Switch to HFCs as substitutes of HCFCs : could represent a •

minimum hardware investment depending on the HFCs type.

Potential limitations on the long term to expect, due to severity

increase on GWP legislation.

Switch to ammonia ( R-717) : good solution for ODP- GWP, •

but needs detailed study / full revamp of the plant.

Switch to CO • 2 (R-744) : good solution for ODP- GWP, but

needs detailed study / full revamp of the plant.

Switch to HCs ( Hydro Carbons ) might be considered •

on specific cases, but unit size is limited by legislation, so

generally dedicated for small units factory filled.

In summary, there is no easy answer as all refrigerant

fluids have their pros and cons. Every solution will be a

compromise as every application is specific. This technical

topic covers the case of Switch to HFCs and ammonia as

substitutes of HCFCs.

Switch to HFCs as substitutes of HCFCsHFCs are generally a good solution, with some restrictions

due to Kyoto’s low GWP requirements. The change

from HCFCs to specifically developed HFCs is possible

providing specific switch over procedure is followed and

generally a change of lubricant technology. However, in

some cases, a loss of refrigeration efficiency may happen

depending on the application. R-22 covers most of the

volumes among HCFCs.

Switch over R-22 to HFCs

According to the application, evaporator temperature

range, compressor type, etc…, the most popular HFCs to

be used as R-22 substitutes are essentially:

R-404a/R-507 for low temperature industrial •

cooling (freezing) with potential light hardware

change-expansion valve.

R-407c for air conditioning up to 400 kW with potential light •

hardware change -expansion valve.

R-427a for direct expansion units, low and medium •

temperatures for industrial cooling, chillers, air conditioning

applications. This substitution fluid generally does not need

hardware change.

R-422a for direct expansion units, low and medium •

temperatures. This substitution fluid generally does not need

hardware change.

R-422d for direct expansion units, chillers applications. This •

substitution fluid generally does not need hardware change.

R-417a for direct expansion units, air conditioning •

applications. This substitution fluid generally does not need

hardware change.

What lubricant to use?

Switch over to R-404a/R-407c/R-507

Change to POE-PolyOlEster type lubricants is required

(i.e. MobilEAL Arctic series within ExxonMobil product line).

Experience showed that residual oil should be less than 1%

for “low” temperatures (freezing), and less than 3-4% for

“high” temperatures (air conditioning), to ensure appropriate

miscibility with new refrigerant fluid and proper running of

refrigeration unit.

Switch over to R-417a/R-422a/R-422d/R-427a

Although, in some cases, refrigeration oil currently in

use may be retained , ExxonMobil’s preferred

recommendation, based on experience, is to switch to

POE PolyOlEster type lubricants (Mobil EAL Arctic series).

This is to ensure / optimize oil return to the compressor

and minimize efficiency losses at evaporator. Note that

all abovementioned HFCs blends do contain a % of HCs

(Hydrocarbons like R-600a-isobutane), improving

miscibility.

However experience has showed that this cannot always

guarantee full control of miscibility according to the

application and existing lubricant in use.

Switch over procedureDepending on the refrigerant fluid supplier, a specific switch

over procedure is required, which aims to:

Evaluate the current plant / monitor operating parameters. •

Drain and run the unit with fresh POE oil charge and R-22 for a •

short period of time.

Drain and remove R-22. •

Re-fill with fresh POE oil charge (Mobil EAL Arctic) and fill the •

unit with substitute refrigerant fluid.

Make all required adjustments. •

Evaluate the plant / monitor operating parameters following •

switch over.

More engineering support tools

ExxonMobil has developed specific tools to help ensure

proper switch over from R-22 to most common substitutes

refrigerant fluids.

1. Miscibility curves, to ensure that lubricant selected

matches miscibility requirements according to

application (to avoid oil trapped at evaporator) (Need to

know evaporator temperature for use).

2. VPT (Viscosity/Pressure/Temperature) curves

to ensure that lubricant selected matches viscosity

requirements according to application. (Need to know

temperature/pressure at compressor outlet for use).

3. “MOBIL Refrigeration lubricant Selection Guide for

Industrial Systems” to help select proper lubricant type

and viscosity.

Mobil EAL Arctic Series

Lubricants required are formulated from proprietary, fully

synthetic polyolester (POE) base oils and a unique additive

system to provide outstanding lubricity, wear protection,

chemical and thermal stability and hydrolytic stability. They

are miscible with HFC refrigerants and have well-defined

viscosity/temperature/pressure relationships with widely

used HFCs.

Mobil EAL Arctic Series has received approvals and

endorsements from many major compressor and system

builders worldwide. They are available in viscosity grades

ranging from ISO VG 15 to ISO VG 220.

Conclusion

New legislation on HCFCs is inducing technical changes, especially for R-22, for refrigeration systems which needs to be

taken promptly under consideration by all users concerned. ExxonMobil products and expertise can help end users for a

trouble free switch over to suitable refrigerant fluids and lubricants.

Switch to Ammonia (R-717)Ammonia (R-717) is a perfect refrigerant fluid in terms of

ODP/GWP (Ozone Depletion Potential/Global Warming

Potential), but tied up with severe legislation in some

European countries, due to potential toxicity, which may

induce some confinement requirements according to

application specificity and size. Ammonia is not compatible

with copper alloys, and requires specific plant hardware /

design making impossible its use for retrofit in existing

HCFCs or HFCs plants. In turn this option generally requires

complete revamping of the plant, so important investments.

However ammonia technology is already widely used

and perfectly known, as it provides good performance

and limited refrigerant costs, while no ODP/GWP impact.

ExxonMobil propose 2 high quality lubricants for

ammonia applications:

Mobil Gargoyle Arctic SHC 226E PAO – PolyAlphaOlefin

based product (used for new plants).

Mobil Gargoyle Arctic SHC NH 68

Blend PAO/AB AlkylBenzene (specially designed for lower

temperatures, or when switching an existing plant from

mineral oil, to avoid any issue with seals).

Both products are ISO VG 68 grades, and provide

outstanding lubrication for compressors in industrial

refrigeration systems using ammonia:

High oil film thickness in the presence of refrigerant, offers •

improved antiwear protection for extended compressor life

as well as better shaft sealing and reduced bearing fatigue,

resulting in less unscheduled downtime.

Outstanding viscometrics offer protection at high temperatures •

while a low pour point and the absence of wax enable

operations at very low temperatures.

Excellent thermal and oxidative stability, ensure potentially •

longer oil life, reduced drain intervals, and less maintenance.

Excellent chemical stability and solvency from synthetic base •

oils offers reduced lacquer and deposit formation for longer

filter life and reduced shaft-seal leakage. Also enable effective

cleaning of plants when switching from mineral lubricants on

existing units.

Basic Refrigeration Process (compressor application)

Refrigerant (gas + oil) Compressor

(antiwear)

Solubility of refrigerant gas at high temperature Condenser

Oil

Liquid RefrigerantGas Refrigerant

Expansion

Valve

Miscibility into liquid refrigerant at low temperature(ex: -30°C)

Gas – High pressure + oil mist (oil carryover)

Miscibility into liquid at

high temperature

(around 60°C)

Evaporator (oil return to compressor)

Receiver

R12

CFC

-40

+40

78

5

R50

2C

FC-5

0-2

07

168

18

R22

HC

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5+

107

162*

818

8

R22

HC

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1016

2*

188

R22

HC

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0+

1016

188

R22

HC

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0+

1016

178

R12

3H

CFC

R11

0+

208

R12

4H

CFC

R11

40

+80

818

R40

1aH

CFC

R12

-20

+10

716

R40

2aH

CFC

R50

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R40

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CFC

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2-5

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18

R40

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CFC

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+10

716

R29

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3H8 (p

rop

ane)

-30

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815

15

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ane,

Iso

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ane

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+20

815

15

R71

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H3 (a

mm

onia

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+10

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82*

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mm

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-40

9

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1010

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FCR

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109

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-30

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220

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12

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913

12

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HFC

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+10

1114

12

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913

12

R50

7/50

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00

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