A successful Lubrizol company, CPI Fluid Engineering is respected as an international leader in specialised lubricants for industrial compressors. It produces a range of options for different applications including gas compressor oil, air compressor oil and refrigeration compressor oil. CPI products are renowned for their exceptional thermal stability, compatibility with modern refrigerants and gases and the corrosion protection they provide.
On top of supplying high levels of operating performance, these oils are also long-lasting products, but exactly how long do CPI compressor lubricants last? In this in-depth article, we take a close look at this question, providing an overview of CPI compressor oil as well as service life of specific formulations and product types. We’ll also discuss the factors that impact the lifespan of compressor oils and best practices that promote longevity.
An overview of CPI compressor lubricant lifecycles
While operating conditions, applications and specific product lines must be considered, CPI compressor lubricants typically last between around 4,000 to 12,000 hours. It is worth noting that full synthetic CPI compressor oils are specifically engineered to provide longer service life in comparison to compressor lubricants with a mineral oil base.
CPI lubricant service life by formulation and product type
CPI’s range of specialised compressor lubricants using Hydrotreated Mineral Oil (HTMO) have the shortest life span and are included in ranges like the CPI 1000 series. They have a service life of about 4,000 hours.
Food grade synthetic oils from CPI that meet NSF H1 and H2 last between 4,000 to 8,000 hours. These include CPI 4624-68-F that is approved for use in food packaging and processing applications. The lubricant maker’s standard synthetic compressor oils with a PAO base like CPI-406 also have an expected service life of up to 8,000 hours.
CPI also produces high-temperature ester-based compressor lubricants like CPI-4201. This class of lubricants offer the most extended life cycle at an impressive 12,000 hours.
What factors impact the lifespan of CPI compressor lubricants?
Operating conditions, care and usage all play a part in how long a compressor oil designed by CPI can endure. Temperature is always a critical factor as thermal degradation causes lubricants to breakdown, shortening their service life. For instance, each 10 °C temperature increase results in a compressor oil’s life expectancy being potentially halved. As such, operators should be mindful that normal lubricant operating temperatures should rest between 60 °C and 95 °C.
Proactive maintenance is a powerful positive force in keeping compressor lubricants in optimal condition. Both oil and air filters should be regularly checked and replaced every 2,000 hours or earlier, if required. A blocked filter can cause compressor oil to bypass this key stage and circulate unfiltered and contaminated lubricant throughout the system.
Usage levels must also be factored in. Some compressors run continuously around the clock putting greater pressure on compressor lubricants. Under such circumstances, compressor oil should be sampled more frequently to ensure it is still performing its role properly.
Key recommendations to access maximum compressor lubricant service life
Oil sampling is a critical process to ensure compressor lubricant is in ideal condition. Maintenance experts advise sampling oil at intervals between 1,000 and 2,000 hours. This lets compressor operators assess contamination levels and look for signs of degradation. While sampling can spot when compressor oil is unfit and needs changing it can also show when lubricants still have service life left, avoiding waste and lowering expenses.
Mixing different types of compressor oil should always be avoided as this can shorten the lifespan of the lubricant.
Air-oil separators in compressor systems also require replacement. The best practice if to install new separators every 4,000 to 8,000 hours. This prevents reduced efficiency and unwanted oil carryover in rotary screw-type compressors. For screw compressors, it is advisable to use synthetic lubricants from CPI that can extend equipment lifespans and reduce maintenance costs (https://www.oil-store.co.uk/blog/how-cpi-lubricants-reduce-maintenance-costs/).
Always ensure you select the correct type of compressor lubricant for a specific application. CPI fluid engineering provides a full portfolio of cutting-edge compressor oils with excellent thermal stability and lubricity. These include products from its leading brands Solest, Icematic and Emkarate RLs that are formulated for long-term stability, high-performance and compatibility with HFO, HFC, and low-GWP refrigerants.
