Abstract
The lubricant in the cylinders of a reciprocating compressor is in intimate contact with the gas being compressed and account must be taken of any effect of the gas on the oil that could interfere with its lubricating properties. With air and carbon monoxide gas temperatures have to be limited to prevent the formation of carbonaceous oil degradation deposits, and with all gases the effect of solution of gas in the oil, with a consequent reduction in viscosity, has to be considered. Based on the analysis of operating experience with compressors handling a wide range of process gases, a range of satisfactory oil viscosity has been defined, using available data on gas solubility in lubricating oils and compressor operating parameters. This provides a means of selecting a suitable viscosity grade of oil for cylinder lubrication which can readily be extended to other gases not considered in the paper.
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