In industrial refrigeration and HVAC systems, choosing the right compressor lubricant is critical for system efficiency, longevity, and reliability. However, equipment operators and maintenance teams often face challenges:
This guide provides a comprehensive cross-reference for refrigeration lubricants, focusing on the three most widely specified brands in the industry: Emkarate (Copeland), Bitzer, and Suniso. Whether you're maintaining screw compressors, scroll compressors, or reciprocating systems, understanding substitution principles ensures you select technically equivalent alternatives without compromising performance.
Before diving into brand-specific cross-references, it's essential to understand what makes lubricants interchangeable:
Viscosity at 40°C determines oil film strength and lubrication effectiveness. ISO VG ratings (32, 68, 100, 170, etc.) must match within ±10% for direct substitution. A 68-grade oil can generally substitute another 68-grade, but not a 32 or 100.
Modern refrigeration oils fall into distinct categories:
Antioxidants, anti-wear agents, and foam inhibitors vary by manufacturer. While most premium brands meet compressor OEM specifications, always verify approvals for critical applications (e.g., Carrier 06N certification, Trane approval numbers).
| Viscosity | Emkarate | Bitzer | Suniso | Hanbell | Qishan | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 cSt | RL32H | BSE32 | SL32 | HBR-B12 | QSL-32H | Scroll/reciprocating (R410A, R134a) |
| 68 cSt | RL68H | BSE55 | SL68 | HBR-B05 | QSL-68H | Screw compressors, chillers (R404A, R507A) |
| 120 cSt | RL120H | — | SL120 | HBR-B08 | QSL-120H | York/Hanbell/Refcomp screws (heavy-duty) |
| 170 cSt | RL170H | BSE170 | SL170 | HBR-B09 | QSL-170H | Bitzer HSK/HSN, Refcomp screws |
| 220 cSt | RL220H | — | SL220 | HBR-B04 | QSL-220H | Heat pump screw compressors |
| 320 cSt | — | B320SH | SL320 | HBR-B01 | QSL-320H | HVAC screw compressors (hot climate) |
Key Insight: Emkarate RL32H and Qishan QSL-32H are directly interchangeable for scroll compressors in R410A air conditioning systems. For multi-compressor racks using R404A, RL68H/QSL-68H is the industry standard.
| Viscosity | Suniso | York/Frick | Hanbell | Qishan | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 cSt | 3GS/3GSD | D | — | 3GS/3GSD | R22 reciprocating/scroll |
| 56-68 cSt | 4GS/4GSD | C | HBR-A01 | 4GS/4GSD | R22 reciprocating/scroll |
| 100 cSt | 5GS/5GSD | E | — | 5GS/5GSD | R22 water-cooled screw chillers |
| Viscosity | Bitzer | Hanbell | York/Frick | Refcomp | Qishan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68-100 cSt | B100 | HBR-B03 | B1/#2A | SK100 | QSL-AB100 |
Application: AB oils are preferred for R22 screw compressors (Bitzer HSK/HSN, Fusheng SRL, Hanbell RC2/LT) due to better miscibility and oil return compared to straight mineral oils.
Need a quick reference? Download our free cross-reference PDF chart for offline use.
Situation: A cold storage facility using Bitzer 6FE-44Y screw compressors (R404A) needs an urgent oil top-up, but Emkarate RL68H has a 6-week lead time.
Solution:
Situation: Converting a reciprocating compressor rack from R22 to R404A requires changing from mineral oil to POE.
Original oil: Suniso 3GS (MO, 32 cSt)
New oil: Emkarate RL32H OR Qishan QSL-32H (POE, 32 cSt)
Critical steps:
Situation: A supermarket chain maintains 50+ stores with mixed compressor brands (Copeland scroll, Bitzer screw, Hanbell screw).
Current approach: Stocking 8 different OEM oils
Optimized approach: Consolidate to 3 Qishan products:
Result: Reduced inventory costs by 40%, simplified procurement, maintained full OEM compatibility.
Not sure about compatibility? Our engineers review your specs for free and recommend the exact equivalent.
While established brands like Emkarate, Bitzer, and Suniso have earned their reputation through decades of field performance, Qishan offers several distinct advantages for procurement and maintenance teams:
Unlike mass-produced oils, Qishan can tailor viscosity grades and additive packages for specific applications:
Global shortages of POE base stocks (2022-2024) left many operators waiting months for Emkarate or Mobil EAL products. Qishan maintains:
Every Qishan order includes:
Real example: A pharmaceutical cold chain operator switching from Emkarate RL68H to Qishan QSL-68H received:
Qishan oils typically cost 15-25% less than Emkarate or Mobil EAL, while meeting the same performance specifications:
Before switching from one brand to another, answer these questions:
1. What is the current oil's chemistry and viscosity?
Match both exactly (don't substitute POE 32 with POE 68)
2. Will you flush the system or top-up existing oil?
Top-up: Ensure <10% cross-brand mixing
Full replacement: Flush until residual oil <2%
3. Does your compressor OEM require specific certifications?
Check for Carrier 06N, Trane approval numbers, Bitzer compatibility lists
4. What is your refrigerant type?
HFC (R404A/R507A/R410A): Use POE only
R22: MO or AB depending on compressor type
NH₃/CO₂: PAO or specialty synthetics
5. What is the system's operating envelope?
Evaporating temp <-40°C: Use lower-viscosity oils (32-68 cSt)
High ambient (>45°C): Consider higher-viscosity grades (170-320 cSt)
For procurement managers and maintenance planners, here's the full Qishan lineup mapped to major brands:
| Qishan Model | Viscosity | Emkarate | Bitzer | Suniso | Solest | Hanbell | CPI | Typical Compressors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QSL-32H | 32 | RL32H | BSE32 | SL32 | LT-32 | HBR-B12 | CP-2931A | Reciprocating, scroll (R410A/R134a) |
| QSL-68H | 68 | RL68H | BSE55 | SL68 | 68 | HBR-B05 | — | Screw, scroll, centrifugal chillers |
| QSL-120H | 120 | RL120H | — | SL120 | 120 | HBR-B08 | — | York, Hanbell, Refcomp, Fusheng SRL |
| QSL-150H | 150 | — | B150SH | — | — | HBR-B02 | CPI150 | Bitzer, Fusheng heavy-duty screws |
| QSL-170H | 170 | RL170H | BSE170 | SL170 | 170 | HBR-B09 | — | Bitzer HSK/HSN, Refcomp SW |
| QSL-220H | 220 | RL220H | — | SL220 | 220 | HBR-B04 | — | Heat pump screw compressors |
| QSL-320H | 320 | — | B320SH | SL320 | — | HBR-B01 | CPI320 | High-ambient HVAC screws |
| Qishan Model | Viscosity | Suniso | York/Frick | Hanbell | Frascold | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3GS/3GSD | 32 | 3GS/3GSD | D | — | 3GS | R22 reciprocating/scroll |
| 4GS/4GSD | 56-68 | 4GS/4GSD | C | HBR-A01 | — | R22 reciprocating/scroll |
| 5GS/5GSD | 100 | 5GS/5GSD | E | — | — | R22 water-cooled screw chillers |
| Qishan Model | Viscosity | Bitzer | Hanbell | York/Frick | Refcomp | Fusheng | Frascold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QSL-AB100 | 68-100 | B100 | HBR-B03 | B1/#2A/#3 | SK100 | FS100A | F-100 |
| Qishan Model | Type | Viscosity | Solest | Trane | CPI | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QSL-PAO46 | PAO | 46 | #11/14/18/19/20 | OIL00022/372 | CP-4600 | Trane chillers, CO₂ systems |
| QSL-PAG46 | PAG | 46 | #12/12B/NG3 | — | CP-1505/07/08/1515/1516 | FRICK, hydrocarbon refrigerants |
Yes, if the mixed ratio stays within 90:10 (existing:new). Both are POE oils with 32 cSt viscosity. For ratios beyond 10%, consider oil analysis to verify additive compatibility.
OEM compatibility lists primarily feature globally distributed brands with established testing protocols. Qishan oils meet the same ASHRAE 86 and DIN 51503 specifications that Bitzer requires, and are field-proven in thousands of Bitzer installations across Asia-Pacific. For warranty-critical applications, request a compatibility letter from Qishan technical support.
2 years if stored properly (sealed container, <25°C, away from moisture). POE oils are hygroscopic—once opened, use within 6 months. Always verify moisture content <50 ppm before charging into a system.
No. The 68 cSt oil is twice as thick as 32 cSt, which will cause oil logging in the evaporator and potential bearing starvation at startup. Viscosity grade must match the OEM specification.
Run a compatibility test: (1) Mix 50/50 sample of old and new oil (2) Heat to 100°C for 24 hours (3) Check for phase separation, color change, or sediment (4) If stable, proceed with small-batch top-up (10%) and monitor compressor discharge temperature and oil pressure for 2 weeks.
Yes. Standard packaging is 18L pails, but 208L drums are available for QSL-32H, QSL-68H, QSL-170H, and QSL-AB100. Bulk orders (>1000L annually) qualify for custom formulation services and dedicated technical support.
If you're considering Qishan lubricants as an alternative to Emkarate, Bitzer, or Suniso products, here's the recommended evaluation process:
Contact Qishan technical support with:
Request a 1L sample of the recommended Qishan equivalent. Compare:
For critical systems, run a 90-day pilot:
Once validated, scale across your facility/fleet. Qishan provides:
Refrigeration lubricant substitution requires balancing proven performance with practical considerations. While Emkarate, Bitzer, and Suniso have decades of field validation, Qishan offers compelling advantages:
The refrigeration industry is increasingly recognizing that oil selection should be based on verifiable performance metrics rather than brand loyalty alone. As supply chains remain volatile and cost pressures mount, qualified alternatives deserve serious evaluation.
Final Recommendation: For non-critical top-ups and routine maintenance, Qishan cross-references provide reliable, cost-effective solutions. For critical systems, start with a pilot program to build confidence before full deployment.
Ready to evaluate Qishan lubricants for your application?
