What type of refrigeration oil should I use for my screw compressor?

Screw compressors typically require POE (Polyol Ester) oils for HFC refrigerants like R134a and R407C, or mineral oils for HCFC systems like R22. The viscosity grade (usually ISO VG 32-68) depends on the compressor manufacturer's specifications. Brands like Bitzer recommend BSE series POE oils, while FUSHENG systems often use mineral oil formulations.

What is the difference between POE and mineral refrigeration oil?

POE (Polyol Ester) oils are synthetic lubricants designed for HFC refrigerants (R134a, R404A, R407C, R410A) and are hygroscopic, requiring careful moisture control. Mineral oils (MO) are petroleum-based, used with CFC and HCFC refrigerants (R22, R502), and are less expensive but incompatible with modern HFC systems. POE oils offer better thermal stability and miscibility with newer refrigerants.

How do I select the right refrigeration oil for a centrifugal chiller?

For centrifugal chillers, select oil based on the OEM specification (e.g., Trane OIL00037, York PureOil S), the refrigerant type (R123 low-pressure or R134a medium-pressure), and the required viscosity grade. Most modern centrifugal chillers use POE oils with ISO VG 32-68. Always verify compatibility with the chiller manufacturer's technical bulletin and ensure the oil meets the required pour point for your operating conditions.

R508B Refrigerant Gas 8KG (17.6LBS),HFC Refrigerants

Description

Introduction:

R508B refrigerant sets the industry standard as a replacement for R-13 and R-503 refrigerants, and is endorsed by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). R508B ensures that medical freezers and environmental chambers can consistently maintain temperatures that range between -40 to -101 °C (-40 to -150 °F).

OEMs recommend using polyolester oils (POE) in systems retrofitted with R508B , which also carries a lower retrofit cost than R-23.

Specification:

Name	Trifluoromethane, Hexafluoroethane Blend
Model	R508B,HFC508B,FC-508B
Classification	HFC Refrigerant
Formula	CCl3F
Cas No.	R23: 75-46-7, R116: 76-16-4
Replacement for	Mainly R-13 and R-503

Application:

R508B is used in industry, research and biomedicine in hospitals, archives and laboratories to ensure appropriate laboratory sample storage, for example. R508B’s discharge temperature is significantly lower than that of R23, which extends the service life of the equipment.