Recommendations of OAO "Kholodmash" for the selection of compressors

With the present article we start publications on the basics of selection, installation and operation of refrigeration units and compressors for commercial refrigeration equipment. The relevance of this topic is determined by the fact that over the past 5 years the country has dramatically increased equipping of commercial refrigeration equipment with new generation compressors both imported (L'Unité Hermétique, Aspera, Electrolux, Danfoss) and domestic compressors manufactured by Yaroslavl JSC "Kholodmash", which produces a wide range of compressors by documentation and technology of Electrolux Compressors. These are small-sized compressors with built-in electric motor, most of them are powered from single-phase AC network with voltage of 220 V and frequency of 50 Hz.
Refrigeration aggregates with gland compressor of FAK type and refrigeration aggregates with scaled compressors of VSE type used to be produced earlier are less demanding to cleanliness and dryness of the refrigeration system since the electric motor winding is not in contact with freon-oil mixture. They are easy to operate, but heavy and noisy. New generation compressors require a different level of preparation of the refrigeration system (clean and dry) and more qualified installation and operation personnel. Unpreparedness of installers and operators to work with compressors of new generation is evidenced by the fact that, according to Morena, up to 20% of imported compressors returned to the company in reclamation are found to be intact and workable. In addition, sometimes high-quality compressors fail due to failure to comply with the basic requirements to the refrigeration system, rules of installation and operation.
Therefore, we consider it reasonable to highlight the whole process of creating a refrigeration system in commercial refrigeration equipment: to follow step by step selection of compressors (units) depending on their characteristics and purpose, preparation of the refrigeration system for installation, installation, start-up and operational monitoring. A special section will be devoted to replacement of compressors in existing refrigeration systems already in operation. The questions of selection and application of control and automation devices, different systems of evaporator defrosting and some other problems will be also discussed. We invite all interested people to take part in discussion of these issues and send to the editorial board their comments and proposals.