Chemical problems in refrigeration systems are attracting much attention at the moment. Recognition of the fact that the global environment was being affected by many of the refrigerants previously used led to a situation where most of them had to be discarded — along with the wide experience gained in their use. The substances that assumed the role as front-line replacements were, broadly speaking, new and almost unknown. The changeover has given the refrigeration branch a great deal of work to do in explaining which oils, polymers and other materials are able to live together with these new substances.

The chemical reactions in a refrigeration system can often be provoked within a reasonable period of time by subjecting the actual mixture of substances to laboratory tests at increased temperature, etc. However, the best and most realistic experience is obtained by observing what happens in an actual refrigeration system.

One method of collecting information on the chemicals in a refrigerating system is to closely study its filter driers. The filter drier is often called "The chemical story book of the system" and the article deals with this subject in more detail.

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Refrigeration Controls