Fridge Compressors

Compressor bodies are normally of close grained castings of iron or steel.

Modern valves are of the reed or disc type mounted in the head and are of high grade
steel on stainless steel seats with a usual lift of about 2mm. Connecting rods are
aluminium with steel backed white metal big ends. The crankshaft is spheriodal graphite
iron.

The pistons are made from cast iron in older units, and of aluminium alloy
more recently. The piston is attached to the crankshaft by con rod in the normal manner.
It should be noted that the crankcase is full of refrigerant gas at suction pressure.

Liners are made from high tensile cast iron. Lubrication is generally splash
only for smaller compressors with a crankshaft driven gear pump supplying bearings on
larger machines.It is important to understand that actual pumped lube oil pressure is the
indicated pressure less this crankcase pressure.

The properties of the Lubricating oil used in are compressors are critical and
specific to the refrigerant gas used. The properties of this oil will be dealt with in the
tribology section.
 By the nature of the system a possibility exists whereby liquid may be
passed to the compressor suction. To prevent serious damage, some form of unloading
device is normally fitted. In this case the suction valve assembly is held on the liner by a
heavy gauge spring. In the event of liquid passing to the compressor the suction valve
will lift against this spring.

Author note
Should water enter the system, acids may be formed by the reaction with the
refrigerant gas. This is especially true for freon systems. These acids attack the
copper in the system- typically the pipework- and allow it to be transported through
the system. It is not uncommon to find this deposited on the suction valve plate.
More troublesome is when the deposit finds its way to the crankcase seal destroying
the running face.

Thus the importance of maintaining filter dryers in good condition can be

seen. These should be changed at least on a schedule determined by the ships
planned maintenance system. In addition to this it is common to have liquid line flow
bullseye which incorporate a water detection element. Blockage of the filter dryer can
be gauged by feeling the filter. If it is cooler than the surrounding pipework then the
gas is being throttled through it.

Although not considered good practice in an emergency I have 'dried' the

filter drier element in the galley oven although this practice is not recommended.

Mechanical seal
 It should be noted that for this design the carbon seal and flexible bellows is
fixed in way of the mounting plate and the hard running surface is allowed to rotate. This
is the opposite to the set up for seals mounted on pumps.

Author note
The finish of the running surface of the seal is extremely fine. However, in
extenuating circumstances i.e. when the surface has been damaged say by the
deposit of copper, it is possible to lap the face of the carbon. The method I would
recommend is metal polish such as brasso, on a true flat surface on which is laid
chart paper. The chart paper absorbs the wear particles as they are removed an a
reasonable finish is possible.

Rotary Compressor

Such compressors are used mainly in house hold applications but modern
practice sees there use in cargo conditioning.

A variation on this is the multi blade type where the rotor has slots cut in it,
fitted to which are spring loaded blades. Alternately the blades may rely on centrifugal
force.

With both these types , when the compressor is stopped the sealing pressure
and oil film are broken and there fore the suction and discharge are common. This
reduces starting loads but requires a suction non return valve to be fitted.

Where these are fitted to large refrigeration systems it is possible to use

variable speed thyristor controlled electric motors. Thereby the compressor can run at
optimal revolution to maintain plant efficiency.