A Condensed Guide to Compressor Lubricants

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A Condensed Guide to Compressor

Lubricants
Jeremy Wright, Noria Corporation
Tags: synthetic lubricants, compressor lubrication

Machinery Lubrication (7/2009)

Nearly all compressors require a form of lubricant to either cool, seal or lubricate internal
components. Only static jet compressors (ejectors) and late 20th- and early 21st-century oilfree machines with rotors suspended in magnetic or air bearings are exempt from the need
for some type of lubrication. This article deals with the lubrication of dynamic, reciprocating
and rotary compressors. These three types are the most prevalent in industry today.
Compressors are manufactured in several types and for a variety of purposes. In addition to
being used to compress gas, many compressors serve as blowers or can be used as vacuum
pumps. Lubrication requirements vary considerably, depending not only on the type of
compressor but also the gas which is being compressed. In general, air and gas compressors
are mechanically similar. Thus, the main difference is in the effect of the gas on the lubricant
and the compressor components. The lubricant plays a role in preventing wear, sealing,
minimizing reactions with the gas, and preventing corrosion. Refrigeration and air
conditioning compressors require special consideration because of the recirculation of the
refrigerant and mixing of the lubricant with that refrigerant.

Minimum Requirements
To combat all these stressors, a compressor lubricant needs several defenses. Oxidation and
thermal stability are very important - along with corrosion inhibitors, detergents,
demulsifying agents and foam suppressors - to increase the life of the machinery.
As mentioned, not only does compressor design have an effect on lubricant selection, so does
the gas being compressed. The following are the four popular categories of compressed
gases: air, hydrocarbon, chemically active and chemically inert. Dependent upon these
categories, special considerations must be made when selecting the proper lubricant. At the
very least, all should have the following:
Long life without the need for changeout (high oxidation stability)
Prevention of acidity, sludge and deposit formation
Excellent protection against rust and corrosion, even during shutdown
Good demulsibility to shed water that enters the lubrication system
Easy filterability without additive depletion
Good foam control

Three Synthetic Options

Because of the system stressors and quality needed to combat them, synthetic lubricants are
preferred. The three popular synthetics are polyalkylene glycol (PAG), esters (diester and
polyolester) and polyalphaolefin (PAO).

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A Condensed Guide to Compressor Lubricants

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PAGs offer the ability to dissolve sludge and deposits, burn without leaving residues when
degraded, have a low solubility with hydrocarbons, and have good hydrolytic stability. Their
downfall is that they absorb vast amounts of water and have very poor compatibility with
mineral and PAO oils.
Esters have a very high detergency and solvency, making them excellent at dissolving sludge
and deposits. They are compatible with mineral and PAO oils, and most seal and gasket
materials. However, they also absorb moisture from the air and are hydrolytically unstable at
high temperatures.
PAOs are most similar to minerals, so they are very compatible. They also are generally
compatible with seals and gasket materials. They offer excellent hydrolytic stability, low
water solubility and poor solvency. Because of this poor solvency, they should be avoided in
applications where high discharge temperatures are present. They have a tendency to form
deposits in these situations.

The Art of Selection

There are many variables when selecting a compressor lubricant. Even though I only
skimmed the surface of these variables, I hope you now have an appreciation of the art of
lubricant selection for compressors. It is not as easy as simply selecting the product denoted
as "compressor lubricant".
Reference
Bloch, Heinz Compressor Lubrication Best Practices. Machinery Lubrication magazine. May
2003.

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20/07/2016