COMPRESSORS

American Compressor Engineering featured replacement scroll compressors for the 7- to 30-ton A/C range.

Bitzer International (www.bitzer.de or www.bitzerus.com) highlighted refrigeration compressors primarily designed for use in low-temperature cascade CO2 refrigeration systems. The patented design is noted for the lack of a bottom plate that allows the product to withstand burst pressures for both R-410A and CO2. The company said the unit has no ozone depletion potential, higher energy efficiency, and reduced refrigerant charge.

Bristol (www.bristolcompressors.com) featured a modulating reciprocating compressor. The Benchmark TS® was said to modulate to 50 percent capacity in non-peak hours to save energy and stabilize indoor temperatures. Its cylindrical shell and suction muffler minimizes vibrations and noise. The company especially noted the technology's reliability in desert conditions.

The company also noted that its Benchmark compressor line was unveiling "hot oil over protector" or HOOP. It was described as "a proprietary technology designed to minimize the time it takes to detect a thermal fault condition and react to protect the compressor."

Copeland (www.copeland-corp.com) said that its Scroll Digital compressor is available for use in commercial air conditioning applications for temperature control, humidity control, energy efficiency, and equipment reliability. The compressor matches capacity to varying load conditions to maintain precise temperature and improve dehumidification; an approach the company said is ideal for cooling areas with widely varying loads or vital electronics. In a related development, Emerson Climate Technologies announced that the Copeland Corp. had shipped its two millionth Copeland Scroll compressor with R-410A.

A geothermal split system compressor section from ClimateMaster Inc. (www.climatemaster.com) is branded as the Tranquility 27â„¢. It uses a Copeland UltraTechâ„¢ modulating scroll compressor and R-410A and is a two-stage system. Dual fuel (add-on heat pump) applications are offered.

Embraco (www.embraco.com) showed a prototype CO2 unit for vending machines and a variable-speed control compressor running on R-134a for a bottle vending machine.

The next generation of Comfort Alertâ„¢ Diagnostics from Emerson Climate Technologies (www.emersonclimate.com) is said to combine active compressor protection and diagnostic capability. According to the company, it features built-in communication, simplified controls for two-stage compressors, and three-phase-compressor active protection that protects the compressor from damaging conditions, including mis-wire and reverse rotation. The manufacturer said it improves diagnostic accuracy to provide faster system troubleshooting.

The Intelligent Store Discus compressor from Emerson is said to use advanced communications with integrated electronics, performs in a variety of refrigeration applications, and operates with a wide range of refrigerants. The technology is said to gather compressor information, transmit operating data, perform self-diagnostics, and enable remote diagnostics.

A condensing unit from GD Midea Air Conditioning Equipment Co. Ltd. (www.midea.com.cn) is adapted for Copeland compressors. It has rifled copper tubes, aluminum fin refrigerant coils, and internal pressure relief valve.

Tecumseh (www.tecumseh.com) noted that its compressor technology running on R-744 (CO2) is being used at the Winter Olympics. "Global consumers of refrigeration technology are keen to be green," said Bill Merritt, V.P. for commercial refrigeration. "Tecumseh led the industry with R-134a and earned one of the earliest Environmental Protection Agency awards for stratospheric ozone protection. We followed that effort up by introducing HC (R-290-designated) technology at the 2002 summer games in Athens and we are proud to be at the 2006 games as one of the first manufacturers with field proven CO2 technology."

Attention at the Tecumseh booth also was on complete refrigeration systems, modular refrigeration systems, scroll technology, and variable-speed technology.

XLPPâ„¢ is a specialized blended refrigeration oil created "to exceed the existing polarized refrigeration oil additive technology." Replacing existing oil in a compressor with the XLPP blended oil "will provide increased efficiency and extend the life of systems," according to the company. The technology was shown by National Compressor Exchange (www.nationalcompressor.com) with Web info at www.kmacinc.com.

CONDENSERS

A line of condensing units from Danfoss (www.acr.danfoss.com) range from 1/5- to 13-½-hp with hermetic compressors. The units are said to be "compact, quiet and highly efficient with an extended application envelope." Applications include commercial refrigerators and freezers, air dryers, walk-in coolers, display cases, bottle coolers, glass door merchandisers, and vending machines.

Heatcraft Refrigeration Products (www.heatcraft.rpd.com) introduced what it called "a new and improved line of air-cooled condensers under the Bohn, Larkin, Climate Control, and Chandler product brands." Improvements were said to be in the areas of lower sound levels, increased energy efficiency and capacity, as well as serviceability. "Energy efficiency and sound levels are becoming the most sought-after benefits of segments like supermarkets and grocery stores," said Subodh Sharma, senior product manager for Heatcraft Refrigeration Products. "This product series is the perfect fit for applications where low noise levels and significant energy savings are essential for success."

Specifically, Bohn introduced a line of air-cooled condensers under two product series names, Monarch and Ambassador. The Monarch Series utilizes EC motor technology and is said to "offer the benefits of variable speed without the complexity that is usually associated with variable-speed drives." The Ambassador Series uses 830- and 540-rpm motors. Both are said to improve efforts to achieve low sound levels, and high-energy efficiencies.

Vector Series outdoor condensing units from Tecumseh (www.tecumsehcoolproducts.com) are designed to offer what the company said is superior performance with lower than standard delta Ts. The line offers ½- to 6-hp R-22 units, ½- to 3-hp R-404A units for low-temperature applications, and ½- to 4-hp R-404A units for medium-temperature applications. Vector Series walk-in box drop-in refrigeration systems are designed as a top-mount, plug-and-play refrigeration system using R-404A.

Thermokey (www.sulbbs.com.br), a Brazilian manufacturer, showed the Double Coil V air condenser designed for refrigerated display cases in supermarkets, cold rooms, and central air conditioners. According to the company, the technology "takes up less space, results in large reductions in energy consumption, and significantly lowers noise levels."

Publication date: 02/13/2006