BEARING PERFORMANCE FOR COMPRESSORS USING HIGH ENERGY REFRIGERANTS WITH SULFUR-BASED OIL ADDITIVES

• US 20150147012A1
• Filed: 11/24/2014
• Published: 05/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: SCANCARELLO, Marc J.
• Application Number:
  US14/551,814
• Publication Number:
  US 20150147012A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 384/322
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 171/008 Lubricant compositions compatible with refrigerants
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2207/2835 used as base material
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2219/066 Thiocarbamic type compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2219/082 containing sulfur atoms bound to acyclic or cycloaliphatic carbon atoms
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2219/086 containing sulfur atoms bound to carbon atoms of six-membered aromatic rings
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2219/104 containing sulfur and carbon with nitrogen or oxygen in the ring
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2219/106 Thiadiazoles
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2020/097 Refrigerants
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/02 Bearings
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/30 Refrigerators lubricants or compressors lubricants
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2050/14 Composite materials or sliding materials in which lubricants are integrally molded
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 25/16 Arrangement of bearings; Supporting or mounting bearings in casings bearings per se F16C
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 25/18 Lubricating arrangements of machines or engines in general F01M
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2210/263 HFO1234YF
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2240/54 Hydrostatic or hydrodynamic bearing assemblies specially adapted for rotary positive displacement pumps or compressors
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/16 Wear
• CPC Class Codes: F05C 2225/04 PTFE [PolyTetraFluorEthylene]
• CPC Class Codes: F05C 2251/14 Self lubricating materials; Solid lubricants
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2300/172 Copper alloys
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2204/10 Alloys based on copper
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2208/32 : Polytetrafluorethylene [PTFE] F16C2208/58 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2360/42 : Pumps with cylinders or pistons in general F04B
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2362/52 : Compressors of refrigerators, e.g. air-conditioners in general F25
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/109 : Lubricant compositions or properties, e.g. viscosity
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/1095 : with solids as lubricant, e.g. dry coatings, powder
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/121 : Use of special materials
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/122 : Multilayer structures of sleeves, washers or liners
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/206 : with three layers
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2400/07 : Details of compressors or related parts
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2400/121 : using R1234
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 31/00 : Compressor arrangements

Abstract

Methods for improving bearing performance in compressors, especially for those that use high energy refrigerants or that have a high-side design, are provided. The compressor comprises a bearing that is substantially free of lead. The bearing comprises copper and at least one lubricant particle type selected from a group consisting of: molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), calcium fluoride (CaF₂), tungsten disulfide (WS₂), zinc sulfide (ZnS), hexagonal boron nitride, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), carbon fiber, graphite, graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon particles, thermoset polyimide, and combinations thereof. The compressor processes a high energy refrigerant and a lubricant oil comprising a sulfur-based additive. The sulfur-based additive reacts with the copper in the bearing to enhance lubricity and improve performance of the bearing in the compressor machine. Compressors having such features and improved bearing performance are also contemplated.

Claims

1. A method for improving bearing performance for a compressor machine, the method comprising:

providing a bearing substantially free of lead (Pb) comprising a material that comprises copper (Cu) and at least one lubricant particle selected from a group consisting of;

molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), tungsten disulfide (WS₂), zinc sulfide (ZnS), hexagonal boron nitride, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), calcium fluoride (CaF₂), carbon fiber, graphite, graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon particles, thermoset polyimide, and combinations thereof in the compressor machine, wherein the compressor machine processes a working fluid comprising a refrigerant and a lubricant oil comprising a sulfur-based additive in the compressor machine, wherein the sulfur-based additive reacts with the copper in the bearing to enhance lubricity and improve performance of the bearing in the compressor machine.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sulfur-based additive is selected from a group consisting of:

diaryl sulfides, arylalkyl sulfides, dialkyl sulfides, diaryl disulfides, arylalkyl disulfides, dialkyl disulfides, diaryl polysulfides, arylalkyl polysulfides, dialkyl polysulfides, dithiocarbamates, derivatives of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, derivatives of 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole, and combinations thereof.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sulfur-based additive comprises 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole or a derivative thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the refrigerant is a high energy refrigerant selected from a group consisting of:

saturated hydrofluorocarbons, difluoromethane (HFC-32), difluoroethane (HFC-152a), fluoroethane (HFC-161), HFC-410A (a mixture of difluoromethane (HFC-32) and pentafluoroethane (HFC-125)), chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22), hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) Blend 1 (a mixture of difluoromethane (HFC-32), 1,2,3,3,-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234ze), 3,3,3,-trifluoropropene (HFO-1234zf), and difluoroethane (HFC-152a)), hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) Blend 2 (a mixture of difluoromethane (HFC-32) and 3,3,3,-trifluoropropene (HFO-1234zf)), hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) Blend 3 (a mixture of difluoromethane (HFC-32) and 1,2,3,3,-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234ze)), dimethyl ether, carbon dioxide (R-744), ammonia (R-717), bis(trifluoromethyl)sulfide, trifluoroiodomethane, and combinations thereof.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the compressor machine has less than or equal to about 5% loss of coefficient of performance (COP) over 1,000 hours of compressor machine operation with the high energy refrigerant due to the sulfur-based additive reacting with the copper in the bearing.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the compressor machine is capable of use for at least 1,000 hours of compressor machine operation with the high energy refrigerant due to the sulfur-based additive reacting with the copper in the bearing.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the material that comprises copper (Cu) is a porous bronze material, and the bearing is a lead-free self-lubricating bearing comprising a steel backing layer overlaid with the porous bronze material impregnated with a sliding composite material comprising the at least one lubricant particle.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the porous bronze material comprises greater than or equal to about 75% by weight to less than or equal to about 95% by weight copper and greater than or equal to about 5% by weight to less than or equal to about 25% by weight tin.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the porous bronze material comprises greater than or equal to about 88% by weight to less than or equal to about 90% by weight copper and greater than or equal to about 10% by weight to less than or equal to about 12% by weight tin and the sliding composite material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin having molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) particles distributed therein.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the lubricant oil comprises a polyol ester (POE) compound formed from a carboxylic acid and a polyol, wherein the carboxylic acid is selected from a group consisting of:

n-pentanoic acid, 2-methylbutanoic acid, n-hexanoic acid, n-heptanoic acid, 3,3,5-trimethylhexanoic acid, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, n-octanoic acid, n-nonanoic acid, isononanoic acid, and combinations thereof, and the polyol is selected from a group consisting of;

pentaerythritol, dipentaerythritol, neopentyl glycol, trimethylpropanol, and combinations thereof.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the bearing has a machined surface.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the bearing has a machined surface.

12. A compressor machine having improved wear resistance comprising:

a compression mechanism configured for processing a working fluid comprising a high energy refrigerant and a lubricant oil comprising a sulfur-based additive; and

a bearing comprising a material comprising copper (Cu) and at least one lubricant particle selected from a group consisting of;

molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), zinc sulfide (ZnS), tungsten disulfide (WS₂), calcium fluoride (CaF₂), hexagonal boron nitride, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), carbon fiber, carbon particles, graphite, graphene, carbon nanotubes, thermoset polyimide, and combinations thereof, wherein the bearing is substantially free of lead so that the copper is capable of reacting with the sulfur-based additive to improve lubricity of the bearing.

13. The compressor machine of claim 12, wherein the sulfur-based additive is selected from a group consisting of:

diaryl sulfides, arylalkyl sulfides, dialkyl sulfides, diaryl disulfides, arylalkyl disulfides, dialkyl disulfides, diaryl polysulfides, arylalkyl polysulfides, dialkyl polysulfides, dithiocarbamates, derivatives of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, derivatives of 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole, and combinations thereof.

14. The compressor machine of claim 12, wherein the sulfur-based additive comprises 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole or a derivative thereof.

15. The compressor machine of claim 12, wherein the high energy refrigerant is selected from a group consisting of:

saturated hydrofluorocarbons, difluoromethane (HFC-32), difluoroethane (HFC-152a), fluoroethane (HFC-161), HFC-410A (a mixture of difluoromethane (HFC-32) and pentafluoroethane (HFC-125)), chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22), hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) Blend 1 (a mixture of difluoromethane (HFC-32), 1,2,3,3,-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234ze), 3,3,3,-trifluoropropene (HFO-1234zf), and difluoroethane (HFC-152a)), hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) Blend 2 (a mixture of difluoromethane (HFC-32) and 3,3,3,-trifluoropropene (HFO-1234zf)), hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) Blend 3 (a mixture of difluoromethane (HFC-32) and 1,2,3,3,-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234ze)), dimethyl ether, carbon dioxide (R-744), ammonia (R-717), bis(trifluoromethyl)sulfide, trifluoroiodomethane, and combinations thereof.

16. The compressor machine of claim 12, wherein the compressor machine has less than or equal to about 5% loss of coefficient of performance (COP) over 1,000 hours of compressor machine operation.

17. The compressor machine of claim 12, wherein the compressor machine is capable of use for at least 1,000 hours of compressor machine operation.

18. The compressor machine of claim 12, wherein the material comprising copper (Cu) is a porous bronze material, the bearing is a lead-free self-lubricating bearing comprising a steel backing layer overlaid with the porous bronze material and a sliding composite material comprising the at least one lubricant particle.

19. The compressor machine of claim 18, wherein the porous bronze material comprises greater than or equal to about 75% by weight to less than or equal to about 95% by weight copper and greater than or equal to about 5% by weight to less than or equal to about 25% by weight tin.

20. The compressor machine of claim 19, wherein the porous bronze material comprises greater than or equal to about 88% by weight to less than or equal to about 90% by weight copper and greater than or equal to about 10% by weight to less than or equal to about 12% by weight tin and the sliding composite material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin having molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) particles distributed therein.

21. The compressor machine of claim 12, wherein the lubricant oil comprises a polyol ester (POE) compound formed from a carboxylic acid and a polyol, wherein the carboxylic acid is selected from a group consisting of:

n-pentanoic acid, 2-methylbutanoic acid, n-hexanoic acid, n-heptanoic acid, 3,3,5-trimethylhexanoic acid, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, n-octanoic acid, n-nonanoic acid, isononanoic acid, and combinations thereof, and the polyol is selected from a group consisting of;

pentaerythritol, dipentaerythritol, neopentyl glycol, trimethylpropanol, and combinations thereof.

23. A method for improving bearing performance for a compressor machine, the method comprising:

providing a lead-free bearing in the compressor machine that processes a working fluid comprising a high energy refrigerant and a lubricant oil comprising a sulfur-based additive comprising 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole or a derivative thereof, wherein the lead-free bearing comprises molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) particles and a material comprising copper, wherein the sulfur-based additive reacts with the copper (Cu) in the lead-free bearing to enhance lubricity and improve performance of the lead-free bearing in the compressor machine.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the sulfur-based additive comprises 2,5-bis(n-octyldithio)-1,3,4-thiadiazole and dioctyl disulfide.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the high energy refrigerant is selected from a group consisting of:

saturated hydrofluorocarbons, difluoromethane (HFC-32), difluoroethane (HFC-152a), fluoroethane (HFC-161), HFC-410A (a mixture of difluoromethane (HFC-32) and pentafluoroethane (HFC-125)), chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22), hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) Blend 1 (a mixture of difluoromethane (HFC-32), 1,2,3,3,-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234ze), 3,3,3,-trifluoropropene (HFO-1234zf), and difluoroethane (HFC-152a)), hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) Blend 2 (a mixture of difluoromethane (HFC-32) and 3,3,3,-trifluoropropene (HFO-1234zf)), hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) Blend 3 (a mixture of difluoromethane (HFC-32) and 1,2,3,3,-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234ze)), dimethyl ether, carbon dioxide (R-744), ammonia (R-717), bis(trifluoromethyl)sulfide, trifluoroiodomethane, and combinations thereof.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the high energy refrigerant is selected from a group consisting of:

difluoromethane (HFC-32), carbon dioxide (R-744), ammonia (R-717), and combinations thereof.