Lubricants for Low GWP Refrigerants: Still Slippery on Both Sides

The commercial transition to low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants that can benefit environmental impact does not preclude the need to consider the interactions/stability  between the lubricant and refrigerant.  Dealing with some low GWP refrigerants, it becomes even more essential to investigate and understand these interactions due to potential property differences these refrigerants have over refrigerants used today.  This presentation will outline key interactions that need to be studied along with examples of lubricant options for some low GWP refrigerant candidates.  Low GWP refrigerants based on various natural and synthetic chemistries will be assessed.