The cold storage space in the plant is kept cold thanks to Grasso refrigeration compressors. It’s critical that all rooms and cells be kept at the same temperature at all times, so compressors are running 24/7. The only time they’re shut down is during service intervals and repairs. Though maintenance and repairs are inevitable, Richard Garstman, the facility’s Cooling Technology Engineer, works hard to limit and lessen downtime occurrences. He knows that the right maintenance protocol combined with the application of proper lubricants can help to reduce unnecessary downtime. Out of the many lubricants he uses, refrigeration compressor fluid is among the most important. “Fluid consumption was very high and we weren’t happy with either the energy consumption or discharge temperature.”

Richard consulted with his lubricant supplier. They told him about a product manufactured by Petro-Canada called REFLO. REFLO 68A was recommended because it’s an ammonia refrigeration compressor fluid used in some of the largest industrial refrigeration systems – one that is formulated to outperform solvent refined paraffinic and naphthenic refrigeration oils.When used with Kloosterboer’s maintenance best practices it would help to extend service life, lower fluid consumption, and reduce operating costs.

Three Grasso screw compressors in the Vlissingen facility were switched to REFLO 68A and the results have been very favourable, especially with fluid consumption as it has been reduced. “Since switching to REFLO 68A our overall operating costs have reduced quite substantially,” says Garstman. “A great example is our fluid consumption, it has decreased by 60%!” REFLO 68A’s lower oil volatility can help reduce the oil carry-over seen with solvent refined paraffinic and naphthenic fluids. Lower oil carry-over improves refrigerant flow and can cut fluid consumption*. Garstman adds, “We also noticed that our discharge temperature has decreased from 117°C (242°F) to 83°C (181°F).^[1]” REFLO 68A has performed so well in the Vlissingen facility that Kloosterboer has decided to switch all compressors in the other Vlissingen locations over.“We are so impressed with REFLO 68A that we will be undertaking a complete changeover,”says Garstman. “Next up are 3 Grasso RC piston compressors at our facility in Denemarkenweg.”