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Oil analysis
Oil sample analyses are like blood samples, you can tell a lot about the system it came from, when you know how to read and interpret the oil analysis results. Oil companies and oil analysis laboratories know how to perform an oil analysis but not what the findings means for the condition and possible problems in a refrigeration system. The oil analysis must be made by the lab. in accordance with the limitation values for pollution in refrigeration system, which are very different from the limitation values for other oils for example motor and gear oils. Some laboratories have specialized in oil analyses for refrigeration oils and will provide the necessary analysis results with the right pollution limits for refrigeration systems. Only these laboratories should be used. Problems in refrigeration and air condition systems that can be detected and found from oil analysis results are for example: water pollution, high acid content (not on NH3 systems), pollution with motor, gear or hydraulic oil, pollution from other refrigerants, compressor bearing problems etc. Some of the symptoms on the refrigeration and air condition systems from these problems can be: leaks from gaskets and joints, valves getting stuck or periodic valve problems, creation of large amounts of sludge, reduced bearing lifetime on compressors. Different refrigerants, compressor types, and system design, means results of the oil analysis must be seen and interpreted in accordance with the actual system layout and components to give the right conclusions. Cool Partners ApS offers technical advice on the basis of oil analysis results. This advice can often find “hidden real” reasons for problems on systems, and give guidelines on how to solve them. This can solve the real problem in the system and not just cure the symptoms. |
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