ST. LOUIS - Emerson Climate Technologies Inc. announced that Vilter Manufacturing LLC has opened a $2 million technology and innovation center at its Cudahy, Wis., facility. The new technology center will help Vilter in the engineering, development, and testing of more energy-efficient compressors, and expand its offerings in refrigeration by using environmentally friendly refrigerants like ammonia.

“The single screw compressor’s growth in popularity over the past 20 years can be largely attributed to its technical advantages and wide range of capabilities in the process gas and industrial refrigeration industries,” said Wayne Wehber, vice president of business development for Vilter. “Our customers have high performance standards that our compressors consistently exceed. The opening of our new technology and innovation center will allow us to continue to create innovative solutions that expand the range of performance and efficiency.”

The 7,000-square-foot test facility is designed to test Vilter’s entire range of compressors on environmentally friendly anhydrous-ammonia (NH3). The design of the laboratory was completed with the collaboration of industry experts as well as resources from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The facility’s closed loop includes two compressor test beds that can be operated independently or simultaneously as a two-stage system. One station is designed for high-flow testing while the other is designed for high-pressure testing. The test facility is currently capable of testing compressors up to 850 psig (58 barg) discharge pressure.

Publication date: 04/25/2011