Following the release of the new LG range refrigeration and air-conditioning specialist GEA Bock will extend its semi-hermetic compressor portfolio with technology for all synthetic refrigerants.
Bock’s new foray into low-GWP compressors includes both the common HFC fluids and the new HFO low-GWP fluids with a GWP value of less than 150.
GEA Bock product manager, Dalibor Sandor, said this will enable planners and operators to implement individually configurable, economical system solutions for future-proof refrigerants that safely and sustainably meet the requirements for the global phase-down of F-gases - as regulated in the F-Gas Regulation and the Kigali Amendment.
The global market launch will take place this month.
The development of the new LG compressor range is the result of continuous research including internal and external long-term tests in various applications.
“Here it became clear that conventional compressors are not suitable for safe and reliable operation with HFO refrigerants. The driving gears and seals in particular generally lost their functional reliability in the long term due to the higher requirements of these refrigerants,” Sandor said.
“Different refrigerants require compressors with a special technical design was the conclusion of the GEA Bock experts - for maximum robustness, reliability and durability over the entire life cycle of a system.”
HFO refrigerants such as R455A or R1234ze place significantly higher demands on the compressors than standard HFC refrigerants such as R404A and R134a - especially the driving gear and keyword emergency running properties.
The reason: HFO refrigerants have a much higher solubility in oil, which leads to a sharp reduction in oil viscosity and thus increases the susceptibility to compressor damage.
For this reason, Bock engineers - based on their many years of experience in dealing with the technically demanding refrigerants CO2 and hydrocarbons - have developed a special driving gear design for the new LG range that makes the compressors “less sensitive” to falling oil viscosity.
Other new features of the market innovation from Frickenhausen include special sealing materials, a special oil filling for heat pump applications and a motor protection as an accessory pack.
“Within the semi-hermetic Bock standard HG compressor program, the new LG compressors are a stand-alone series with a complete range of products that exceed all the features and advantages of our globally proven standard range,” Sandor said.
Current information, for example on technical data, performance data and operating limits, can be accessed viewed at gea.com/vap