01/07/2026 by Jay Hatton
Ammonia (NH₃) is a naturally occurring and highly efficient refrigerant used in a range of industrial applications like food processing and cold storage. Its superior thermodynamic characteristics and extremely low global warming potential (GWP) have made it a sought-after eco-friendly solution.
As a result, cutting-edge companies like CPI Fluid Engineering that make products that are miscible with greener refrigerants produce lubricants that are compatible with ammonia, like refrigeration compressor oil. In this blog, we discuss these advanced solutions in detail and the benefits they offer.
Built-for-purpose CPI lubricants for ammonia refrigeration systems
Owned by additive expert Lubrizol, CPI Fluid Engineering develops and manufactures highly specialised lubricants that are specifically engineered to operate effectively with ammonia refrigeration systems.
While ammonia is an excellent refrigerant, it chemically reacts with refrigeration lubricants that have a mineral oil base and cause a wide range of unwanted outcomes. These include seal leaks, a build-up of sludge and overall degradation of refrigeration systems. The popular CPI series from CPI Fluid Engineering has options designed with semi-synthetic and full-synthetic base oil that combat these issues and keep ammonia refrigeration systems functioning at optimum.
Ammonia compatible lubricants from CPI
CPI 4628 Series is a synthetic lubricant with a polyalphaolefin (PAO) base. It features CPI’s patented seal-swell technology that prevents compressor leaks, which makes it an effective solution when companies transition from using mineral oil to ammonia.
Another specialised fluid, CPI 1009 Series is designed to resist corrosion and chemical breakdown, providing impressive low carry-over and low-temperature fluidity for cleaner evaporators.
CPI also offers a food safe lubricant that has excellent miscibility with ammonia. The CPI 4614-68-F series is NSF-registered and certified for incidental food contact in food processing facilities and cold-chain operations.
User benefits of CPI refrigeration lubricants for ammonia systems
Offering a range of advantages, CPI lubricants have outstanding thermal stability, ensuring they don’t congeal in refrigeration lines under low temperatures. Their low volatility also results in reduced oil consumption, while their robust film strength protects parts against ammonia’s corrosive characteristic.
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