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Title: R-134a qualification -- industry refrigerator capillary data

Conference ·
OSTI ID:349988
 [1]
  1. Frigidaire Co., Greenville, MI (United States). Refrigerator Div.

With the phaseout of R-12, the use of R-134a and polyolester (POE) oil became the preferred refrigerant/oil combination for the refrigerator appliance industry. Reliability data for this refrigerant/oil combination were minimal, and initial testing showed a propensity for the capillary tubes to clog with a variety of contaminants. A test was designed by an industry group to accelerate the process of contamination and capillary plugging. This paper presents capillary tube stress test data that were developed for this group by its member companies. This study investigated the relationship between capillary tube restriction levels and variables including compressor type, oil type, chlorine level, and moisture level. Analysis of the contaminants included a visual description, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope examination, and measurements of total chlorine content and noncondensable gas content of the refrigerant. Oil samples were measured for moisture level, dissolved iron, and total acid, and an infrared spectral analysis was performed.

OSTI ID:
349988
Report Number(s):
CONF-970668-; TRN: IM9925%%139
Resource Relation:
Conference: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) annual meeting, Boston, MA (United States), 28 Jun - 2 Jul 1997; Other Information: PBD: 1997; Related Information: Is Part Of ASHRAE transactions: Technical and symposium papers, 1997. Volume 103, Part 2; PB: 1072 p.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English