The air conditioning and refrigeration industry is a rapidly growing enterprise. Air conditioning units and refrigeration system are increasing in both quantity and magnitude around the world.
Paramount to the operation of this equipment is refrigerant gas along with a refrigeration oil.
TheAir conditioning units or refrigeration systems of any scale require a lubricant to:
- Reduce friction (resulting in wear) of moving parts of a compressor.
- Provide an effective seal against both pressure and contaminants.
- Prevent corrosion of machinery and parts.
- Help dispose of debris created through wear.
To add complexity to the mechanics of the industry, in 1987, the Montreal Protocol (MPC) was set in place. This is a code which was set to eliminate ozone-depleting gases from production and consumption (including existing refrigerant gases) on a world scale.
In this global initiation to phase out CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) refrigerants (gases) and HCFC (hydrochlorofluorocarbon) refrigerants, the air conditioning and refrigeration industry has moved to adopt the use of HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) refrigerants.
The dilemma for users of refrigerants was that there was no HFC product which equaled the technical superiority, economy and quality of existing CFC and HCFC refrigerants.
Typically, HFC products were not compatible with the other oils available, resulting in poor lubrication, a corresponding increase in power consumption and even failure of the entire system.
The new oils which were subsequently developed are ‘hygroscopic’ (i.e. they absorb moisture). Therefore, special care is needed in storage, handling and repairs to ensure that no moisture contamination occurs (which can easily happen through contact with the outside air).
Being non-hygroscopic and compatible with all CFC’s, HCFC’s, HFC’s and blended refrigerants, RocOil made a timely entrance into the marketplace.