States the move to hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants has prompted a switch from mineral oil and alkyl benzene lubricants to polyolester based lubricants. This change has brought about a need for an understanding of absorption, desorption and foaming properties of alternative refrigerant/lubricant mixtures. Reports a detailed study at the University of Florida to experimentally determine the absorption and desorption rates of HFC and blended refrigerants in polyolester lubricant and to define the characteristics of the foam formed when the refrigerant leaves the refrigerant/lubricant mixture after being exposed to a pressure drop. Examines were R32, R125, R134a, R143a and the blends R404A, R407C and R410A.