Abstract A lubricant-refrigerant system for centrifugal refrigeration compressors comprising a synthetic lubricant consisting essentially of a diricinoleate of at least one glycol selected from the group consisting of two to five carbon atom glycols, and a fluorocarbon refrigerant. The glycol diricinoleate has a very low solubility for the fluorocarbon refrigerant, has viscosity and pour point characteristics, as well as wear and lubricity properties suitable for adequate lubrication of the bearings, gears, and other components of a centrifugal compressor under all reasonable conditions of use, it is thermally and chemically stable in the presence of the fluorocarbon and the metals usually used in compressors over all reasonably expected service conditions, and enables rapid start-up of the centriifugal compressor.
IN A CENTRIFUGAL REFRIGERATION SYSTEM EMPLOYING A MAJOR PROPORTION OF A FLUOROCARBON REFRIGERANT, IN COMBINATION, A MINOR LUBRICATING PROPORTION OF A SYNTHETIC LUBRICANT IN CONTACT WITH THE FLUOROCARBON, THE FLUOROCARBON BEING ONLY SLIGHTLY SOLUBLE IN THE SYNTHETIC LUBRICANT WHEREBY THE LUBRICANT CAN BE APPLIED TO BEARINGS, GEARS AND OTHER RELATIVELY MOVING PARTS TO LUBRICATE EFFECTIVELY SUCH RELATIVELY MOVING PARTS UNDER BOTH RAPID START-UP AND LONG TIME OPERATING CONDITIONS, THE SYNTHETIC LUBRICANT COMPRISING ESSENTIALLY THE DIRICINOLEATE ESTER OF AT LEAST ONE DIOL HAVING FROM 2 TO 5 CARBON ATOMS, THE SYNTHETIC LUBRICANT HAVING A VISCOSITY IN THE RANGE OF ABOUT 200 TO 600 SUS AT 100*F TO ABOUT 40 TO 90 SUS AT 212*F, A POUR POINT OF FROM ABOUT -30* TO =40*F, GOOD THERMAL STABILITY WHEN IN CONTACT WITH METALS AND THE FLUOROCARBON REFRIGERANT AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES, AND GOOD WEAR AND LOAD CARRYING LUBRICATING CAPACITY.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
IN A CENTRIFUGAL REFRIGERATION SYSTEM EMPLOYING A MAJOR PROPORTION OF A FLUOROCARBON REFRIGERANT, IN COMBINATION, A MINOR LUBRICATING PROPORTION OF A SYNTHETIC LUBRICANT IN CONTACT WITH THE FLUOROCARBON, THE FLUOROCARBON BEING ONLY SLIGHTLY SOLUBLE IN THE SYNTHETIC LUBRICANT WHEREBY THE LUBRICANT CAN BE APPLIED TO BEARINGS, GEARS AND OTHER RELATIVELY MOVING PARTS TO LUBRICATE EFFECTIVELY SUCH RELATIVELY MOVING PARTS UNDER BOTH RAPID START-UP AND LONG TIME OPERATING CONDITIONS, THE SYNTHETIC LUBRICANT COMPRISING ESSENTIALLY THE DIRICINOLEATE ESTER OF AT LEAST ONE DIOL HAVING FROM 2 TO 5 CARBON ATOMS, THE SYNTHETIC LUBRICANT HAVING A VISCOSITY IN THE RANGE OF ABOUT 200 TO 600 SUS AT 100*F TO ABOUT 40 TO 90 SUS AT 212*F, A POUR POINT OF FROM ABOUT -30* TO =40*F, GOOD THERMAL STABILITY WHEN IN CONTACT WITH METALS AND THE FLUOROCARBON REFRIGERANT AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES, AND GOOD WEAR AND LOAD CARRYING LUBRICATING CAPACITY.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the diols employed for producing the diricinoleate esters comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol and 1,5-pentanediol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the synthetic lubricant is substantially free of any unreacted diols.