This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Energy Efficient Air Conditioning 35 Intelligence adds efficiency


Intelligent compressors represent one of the most significant recent developments and contribute towards the efficient operation of air conditioning systems, says Kevin Glass of Bitzer.


ALL ROUND DEVELOPMENTS in compressor technology are contributing to the efficient operation of today’s air conditioning systems in terms of energy efficiency, reliability in operation, ease of maintenance and a choice of solutions for the specifier. Intelligent compressors represent one of the most significant recent developments, offering a number of considerable benefits.


Compressor manufacturers have recognised the potential of intelligent products and have applied the technology to the latest generation of compressors. For example, the electronic controls and software of an intelligent compressor enable it to operate with new levels of efficiency and safety. The key is that they take into consideration all operational parameters - including pressure, temperature and electrical supply – and the compressor will then react to ensure that it always operates within its application envelope. If any deviations outside required operating parameters are detected, an alarm is raised. Any necessary corrective measures to the operation of the compressor can then be immediately taken.


The compressor’s integrated frequency inverter provides variable speed control. This adjusts the levels of cooling output as required for the specific air conditioning task so that the correct level of cooling is always supplied, with no over or under capacity and therefore no waste of energy. The operation of the compressor and reactive measures undertaken to adjust performance are retained in the software’s memory and can be recalled at any time in the future for analysis. All data can


be networked using interfaces such as Modbus and Ethernet for fast and reliable exchange of data, to help ensure effective management of an entire air conditioning installation.


The communication capability of the intelligent compressor is also important for service and maintenance. For compressors with a web server, diagnosis of performance can be undertaken over the internet and remote maintenance is now also possible using in-built software tools. Interrogation via a mobile phone or tablet is also possible.


More and more air conditioning compressors – such as the Orbit 6 – are being designed to consistently offer high system efficiency in full and part- load conditions, such as those resulting from highly variable loads and ambient temperatures in climatic applications. This results in very high EER, ESEER/IPLV and SCOP values with lower annual operating costs.


Compressor manufacturers have continually developed new products that match trends in refrigerant developments. This is seen in compressors developed over recent years for use with R134a and now also with R404A, R407A and R407F amongst others. The interest in HFO refrigerants is increasing and manufacturers recognise the thermodynamic similarities between the properties of HFOs and R134a. As a result, compressors for use with these new refrigerants are using proven designs and technology to provide high refrigeration capacity and energy efficiency. There is also a willingness from manufacturers to optimise compressors


to suit different types of applications. For example the Bitzer range of screw and scroll compressors, such as the CS and Orbit ranges, have different versions that are optimised for either air or water cooled operation. Attention has also been paid by manufacturers to operational sound levels, with some of the latest generations of compressors intrinsically designed for air conditioning system and chiller applications, having very low operational sound levels.


The technology and choice of compressors for air conditioning systems is better and greater than ever before. Manufacturers will continue to develop new solutions that address all the key issues that air conditioning system suppliers and users have to look at themselves, whether from legislative or environmental stand points – or simply in their ongoing quest for maximum operational efficiency.


Hydra Visit ACR News online at www.acr-news.com ACR News February 2014


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80