Migration of lubricating oil from the compressor crankcase into other components of a vapor compression refrigerating system, such as a condenser, is a common occurence. The presence of oil during the condensation of a refrigerant vapor will in general have some effects on the rate of heat transfer.

The objective of this study is to experimentally investigate the effects of the selected refrigerant-oil mixtures on condensation. The refrigerants used in this study are R-12 and R-22, while oil is alkylbenzene-based. The vapor condenses on the external surface of single and multiple, horizontal plain tubes.

The report presented here contains two parts. Part I gives the detailed description of the test apparatus, control devices, instrumentation, and the experimental procedures, while Part II covers the test results of R-12 and R-22.

Units: SI