Precautions for Changing the Oil in the Refrigeration Compressor

The refrigeration oil serves as the "life" and primary means of lubricating, sealing, chilling, cleaning, and noise reduction for the refrigeration system. The components of the refrigeration compressor will wear out because the high temperature during use of the refrigeration oil will cause it to be degraded by heat and form carbon deposits. The results of oil decomposition will chemically interact with the refrigerant to lessen the cooling action, and the acidic materials they produce will severely corrode the compressor.

As a result, after being used for a while and degrading to a certain level, the refrigeration oil needs to be replaced. In general, the industry recommends changing the oil every 2000–3000 hours for open units and every 6000–7000 hours for semi-closed systems. The process control of its manufacturing process is connected to the compressor refrigeration oil replacement cycle. The pollutants entering the compressor will be relatively little and the replacement cycle can be reasonably prolonged if the refrigeration system's evaporator and condenser are kept clean as well as the system pipeline. 

The following factors should be considered when determining whether refrigeration oil can be used indefinitely: appearance, viscosity, acid value, moisture, pour point, flash point, compressive strength, copper sheet corrosion, mechanical impurities and insoluble matter, etc.