WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Torad Engineering LLC presented test results at the Purdue Conferences for its 40-ton spool compressor prototype designed specifically for next-generation, ultra-low global warming potential (GWP), medium-pressure refrigerants. The company said test results approaching 80 percent overall isentropic efficiency established the prototype compressor’s energy efficiency is already very competitive with screw and scroll compressors. Additionally, the prototype’s variable speed and off-peak operation demonstrated performance characteristics that are highly desirable to air conditioning manufacturers. The prototype compressor development received financial support from five leading international compressor and commercial air conditioning companies.

“The spool compressor’s demonstrated efficiency and performance characteristics, at this early stage in its development, foretell a bright future for this technology,” said Dr. Eckhard Groll, Reilly Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Ray W. Herrick Laboratories, at Purdue University. Groll added, “The technology’s strong performance with medium-pressure refrigerants could be critical to the development of the next generation of ultra-low GWP air conditioning products.”