5 Jan 2023
This guidance note provides guidance on the different methods used to manage oil in ammonia refrigeration systems. It supersedes guidance note GN17 which has been withdrawn. In this guidance note the term “oil” is used to cover a range of lubricants including mineral oil, synthetic oil, processed mineral oil (for example, hydrocracked oil) and other synthetic compounds such as alkyl benzene, polyalkyl glycol, polyol ester and polyalfaolefin. Not all of these synthetic compounds are compatible with ammonia.
Oil management on the low-pressure side of ammonia systems is necessary to keep the evaporators in good working order and to maintain system efficiency. The type of facility provided for the removal of oil from the low-pressure side of the system depends on the type of system, the type of oil, the level of manual intervention expected by the end user and the capital cost constraint on the installation.
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23 Apr 2026
The Institute of Refrigeration is the professional engineering body for all individuals working in RACHP. Find out more about the IOR here.
23 Apr 2026
Find out what the IOR can do for you: technical queries, safety codes of practice, new technologies and professional development.
23 Apr 2026
When you become a member of the Institute of Refrigeration you are joining a group of specialist experts driving the sector forward.
23 Jul 2026
The next IOR Industry Skills Alliance in-person meeting will be held in London on 24th September. Join us to help us progress in our key areas, which include strengthening apprenticeship and T Level pathways, shaping qualification design, expanding STEM and early engagement activity, and increasing the number of young people entering the profession.
22 Jul 2026
Andrea Voigt has been announced as a keynote speaker for the 2026 IRC Business Briefing, Securing the Future of RACHP in a Volatile Electricity Market. Her presentation will examine the true cost of maintaining an energy system amid the commercial risks of rising electricity volatility, while also highlighting the opportunities created through early adaptation and investment.