INVITATION TO SUBMIT A RESEARCH PROPOSAL ON AN ASHRAE RESEARCH PROJECT March 15, 2009

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1 INVITATION TO SUBMIT A RESEARCH PROPOSAL ON AN ASHRAE RESEARCH PROJECT March 15, 2009 Attached is a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a project dealing with a subject in which you, or your institution have expressed interest. Should you decide not to submit a proposal, please circulate it to any colleague who might have interest in this subject TRP, Stability of Candidate Lubricants for CO2 Refrigeration Sponsoring Technical Committee: TC 3.2 System Chemistry Budget Range: $60,000 may be more or less as determined by value of proposal and competing proposals. Scheduled Project Start Date: September 1, 2009 or later. All proposals (hardcopy or electronic format) must be received at ASHRAE Headquarters May 18, Electronic copies must be sent to rpbids@ashrae.org. If you have questions concerning the Project, we suggest you contact one of the individuals listed below: For Technical Matters Technical Contact Liz Dixon Shrieve Products International Ltd. 29 The Causeway Downend Fareham, Phone: Fax: E Mail: dixon@shrieve.co.uk For Administrative or Procedural Matters: Manager of Research & Technical Services (MORTS) Michael R. Vaughn ASHRAE, Inc Tullie Circle, NE Atlanta, GA Phone: Fax: E Mail: mvaughn@ashrae.org Contractors intending to submit a proposal should so notify, by mail, fax or e mail, the Manager of Research and Technical Services, (MORTS) by April 15, 2009 in order that any late or additional information on the RFP may be furnished to them prior to the bid due date. Proposals may now be submitted electronically. Electronic submissions require a PDF file containing the complete proposal preceded by signed copies of the two forms listed below in the order listed below. ONLY electronic proposals are to be sent to rpbids@ashrae.org. All other correspondence must be sent to ddaniel@ashrae.org or mvaughn@ashrae.org. Hardcopy submissions require 1 signed original in the same order. In all cases, the proposal must be in the hands of the ASHRAE MORTS by 5 p.m. EDT May 18, The following forms must accompany the proposal: (1) ASHRAE Application for Grant of Funds (signed) (2) Additional Information for Contractors (signed) ASHRAE reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

2 1409 TRP, Stability of Candidate Lubricants for CO2 Refrigeration State of the Art (Background) Carbon dioxide continues to be evaluated as a more ecologically benign alternative to hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). CO 2 has zero Ozone Depletion Potential and significantly lower Global Warming Potential compared to most HFCs. There is no data available in the ASHRAE Handbook or in the open literature regarding the stability of candidate lubricants with CO 2. This is particularly relevant as CO 2 has a potential equilibrium reaction with water (contained in all lubricants to some extent) that forms carbonic acid. Carbonic acid is a strong organic acid that could potentially catalyze chemical reactions with the lubricant. Refrigeration working fluids have historically been evaluated for stability using the ASHRAE 97 Sealed Tube Stability method. This method uses sealed glass tubes as the test vessel. Industry accepted aging conditions are 175 C for 14 days. Sealed glass tubes will not survive these aging conditions when charged with CO 2/lubricant pairs (pressure too high). This project will generate stability/compatibility data with CO 2/lubricant systems at reasonable CO 2 concentrations and at temperatures high enough to accelerate kinetically slow reactions. The standard temperature of Ashrae 97 test does not accurately reflect system conditions for R744, since discharge temps of 150C can be a normal operating point for some systems. It is therefore proposed that testing is conducted both at 175 and 225C, which will also take account of the temperature dependance in the reaction rate equations. Aging of the common lubricant classes with CO 2 at elevated temperatures has not been reported. The theoretical presence of carbonic acid in this fluid mixture raises concerns about whether catalytic breakdown of the lubricant might occur. These experiments can only be carried out in vessels that can handle the high pressure developed at elevated temperatures. A side benefit of this research will be the development of a pressure vessel protocol to carry out these types of studies. This protocol could be expanded to cover the determination of the compatibility of a variety of system component materials. Justification and Value to ASHRAE The data generated in this work will enable compressor designers and manufacturers to use sound, experimental evidence to make lubricant decisions while developing compressors and systems to operate with CO 2 refrigerant. This will help ensure optimised long term chemical stability and hence reliability of these systems. This research will require the utilization of a high pressure vessel and associated techniques. Method development is outside the scope of this proposal, however this work will provide a basic experimental outline for this type of work. This experimental basis could provide a solid basis for ASHRAE SPC 175. Objective The objective of this research project is to determine through verified laboratory data the stability of candidate lubricants with CO 2 in the presence of typical materials of construction. An additional objective is to develop and document an experimental protocol to conduct these studies. Testing is to be conducted at elevated temperature and pressure. 1. Aging conditions: 175 C and 225 C for 14 days 2. Materials: iron, copper, aluminum 3. Lubricants: naphthenic mineral oil, paraffinic mineral oil, polyalkylene glycols (uncapped, capped), Polyolesters (branched, linear, mixed), synthetic alkylate. 4. Lubricant viscosity: commercial standard grades 5. Lubricant analytical pre aging: moisture content and TAN. 6. Lubricant analytical after aging: change in lubricant viscosity, TAN, metals content and appearance (cloudiness, flocculation, particulate/solids formation). 7. Coupon analytical after aging: appearance change, metals corrosion, evidence of copper plating. 8. Tube contents analytical after aging: Ion chromatography for total organic acid ion concentrations, presence of decomposition products.

3 Scope 1. Search for technical literature seeking information relative to stability / compatibility of CO2/lubricant pairs. Provide the Project Monitoring Committee with a list of available literature. 2. Measure stability of R 744 refrigerant in combination with the following lubricants selected by the Project Monitoring Committee over the following conditions: (a) ISO VG 32 Napthenic Mineral Oil (b) ISO VG 32 Paraffinic Mineral Oil (c) ISO VG 46 Uncapped Polyalkylene Glycol (water insoluble) (d) ISO VG 46 Dicapped Polyalkylene Glycol (e) ISO VG 68 Linear Polyol Ester (f) ISO VG 68Branched Polyol Ester (g) ISO VG 68 Mixed (i/n ) Polyol ester (h) ISO VG 32 Alkylbenzene Oil Composition: 50 / 50 v/v refrigerant / lubricant pairs Refrigerant grade : Food grade (>99.90wt%) R744 Temperature: (i) +175 degc (ii) +225 degc Duration : 14 days Moisture content: (i) Typical commercial maximum specification levels for all lubricant types (ii) Higher level of 1000ppm for hygroscopic lubricant types only (c g inclusive) 3. Prepare reported results using a format appropriate for documenting all measurable items. Deliverables: Progress, Financial and Final Reports, Technical Paper(s), and Data shall constitute the only deliverables ( Deliverables ) under this Agreement and shall be provided as follows: a. Progress and Financial Reports Progress and Financial Reports, in a form approved by the Society, shall be made to the Society through its Manager of Research and Technical Services at quarterly intervals; specifically on or before each January 1, April 1, June 10, and October 1 of the contract period. Furthermore, the Institution s Principal Investigator, subject to the Society s approval, shall, during the period of performance and after the Final Report has been submitted, report in person to the sponsoring Technical Committee/Task Group (TC/TG) at the annual and winter meetings, and be available to answer such questions regarding the research as may arise. b. Final Report A written report, design guide, or manual, (collectively, Final Report ), in a form approved by the Society, shall be prepared by the Institution and submitted to the Society s Manager of Research and Technical Services by the end of the Agreement term, containing complete details of all research carried out under this Agreement, including a summary of the control strategy and savings guidelines. Unless otherwise specified, the final draft report shall be furnished, either electronically or hardcopy format (6 copies) for review by the Society s Project Monitoring Subcommittee (PMS). Tabulated values for all measurements shall be provided as an appendix to the final report (for measurements which are adjusted by correction factors, also tabulate the corrected results and clearly show the method used for correction).

4 Following approval by the PMS and the TC/TG, in their sole discretion, final copies of the Final Report will be furnished by the Institution as follows: c. Technical Paper An executive summary in a form suitable for wide distribution to the industry and to the public. One unbound copy, printed on one side only, suitable for reproduction. One bound copy Two copies on CD ROM disks; one in PDF format and one in Microsoft Word. One or more papers shall be submitted first to the ASHRAE Manager of Research and Technical Services (MORTS) and then to the ASHRAE Manuscript Central website based manuscript review system in a form and containing such information as designated by the Society suitable for presentation at a Society meeting. The Technical Paper(s) shall conform to the instructions posted in Manuscript Central for a technical paper. The technical paper title shall contain the research project number (1409 RP) at the end of the title in parentheses, e.g., (1409 RP). Note: A technical paper describing the research project must be submitted after the TC has approved the Final Report. Technical papers may also be prepared before the project s completion, if it is desired to disseminate interim results of the project. Contractor shall submit any interim papers to MORTS and the PMS for review and approval before the papers are submitted to ASHRAE Manuscript Central for review by the Society Program Committee. d. Data The Institution agrees to maintain true and complete books and records, including but not limited to notebooks, reports, charts, graphs, analyses, computer programs, visual representations etc., (collectively, the Data ), generated in connection with the Services. Society representatives shall have access to all such Data for examination and review at reasonable times. The Data shall be held in strict confidence by the Institution and shall not be released to third parties without prior authorization from the Society, except as provided by GENERAL CONDITION VII, PUBLICATION. The original Data shall be kept on file by the Institution for a period of two years after receipt of the final payment and upon request the Institution will make a copy available to the Society upon the Society s request. e. Project Synopsis A written synopsis totaling approximately 100 words in length and written for a broad technical audience, which documents 1. Main findings of research project, 2. Why findings are significant, and 3. How the findings benefit ASHRAE membership and/or society in general shall be submitted to the Manager of Research and Technical Services by the end of the Agreement term for publication in ASHRAE Insights The Society may request the Institution submit a technical article suitable for publication in the Society s ASHRAE JOURNAL. This is considered a voluntary submission and not a Deliverable. Technical articles shall be prepared using dual units; e.g., rational inch pound with equivalent SI units shown parenthetically. SI usage shall be in accordance with IEEE/ASTM Standard SI 10. Level of Effort 12 calendar months $60,000 Other Information to Bidders (Optional): ASHRAE Technical Committees 3.2 will closely monitor the entire project through an appointed Project Monitoring Committee. The Contractor's principle investigator is encouraged to attend Technical Committee meetings, which are held during the ASHRAE's winter and summer conferences.

5 Proposal Evaluation Criteria Proposals submitted to ASHRAE for this project shall include the following minimum information: 1. General statement describing procedures to be used, test facilities, equipment, capabilities, etc. 2. Statements indicating experience in conducting research associated with measuring physical properties of refrigerants, lubricants, and refrigerant/lubricant mixtures. 3. Estimated time period required for completion 4. Planned schedule for the work showing key milestones 5. Estimated costs 6. Biographical data for the key project staff. 1. Contractor s understanding of Work Statement as revealed in proposal. 15% 2. Quality of methodology proposed for conducting research. 15% 3. Contractor s capability in terms of facilities. 15% 4. Qualifications of personnel for this project. 15% 5. Student involvement. 15% 6. Probability of contractor s research plan meeting the objectives of the Work Statement. 15% 7. Performance of contractor on prior ASHRAE projects. 5% 8. Other. 5% References 1. Elsey H.M Small Heated Tube Procedure for Quality Control of Refrigeration Oils. Ashrae Transactions, Vol.71, Part I, p Kvalnes D.E The Sealed Tube Test for refrigeration Oils. Ashrae Transactions, Vol 71, Part I, p ANSI/ASHRAE Standard , Sealed Glass Tube Method to Test the Chemical Stability of Materials for Use within Refrigerant Systems. 4. Hutttenlocher, D. F., Chemical and Thermal Stability of Refrigerant Lubricant Mixtures with Metals (DOE/CE/ ). Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Institute, Arlington, VA 5. Spauschus H.O., Freeman G., and Starr T.L., Analysis of Glass from Sealed Tubes after Aging with r134a. Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Institute, Great Falls, VA 6. Kauffman, R Accelerated Screening Methods for Determining Chemical and Thermal Stability of Refrigerant Lubricant Mixtures Phase I Method Assessment (DOE/CE/ ), Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Institute, Arlington, VA