Abstract
As a result of the continuing efforts towards energy savings, development of industrial heat pumps will increase in the future. The progress made in improving the reliability of this equipment now allows their extension to higher temperature applications such as drying processes and other examples. This paper reviews the technical lubrication requirements specific to industrial heat pumps operating at relatively high condensing temperatures. This study indicates the potential limitations of mineral oil based lubricants in these applications. Based on laboratory tests, selected synthetic lubricants, particularly synthetic hydrocarbon fluids of the polyalphaolefin type (SHF) and selected polyglycols, appear very well adapted for these severe applications. A review is made of the comprehensive physical data developed on mixtures of these selected synthetic lubricants with halogenated refrigerants, e.g. viscosity, vapour pressure, stability. The capability of synthetic hydrocarbon fluids to lubricate industrial heat pumps was then demonstrated at several heat pump builders. Experience gained from actual industrial heat pump applications has confirmed definitely their outstanding performance. In fact, these lubricants are necessary for the satisfactory unit operation under these severe conditions.
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