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The commercial freezer compressor is an essential part of a restaurant's or supermarket's refrigeration system. It keeps the food at a safe temperature by compressing the refrigerant vapor and circulating it through the coils. There are several types of freezer compressors, and they can be classified as scroll, reciprocating, screw, and centrifugal compressors.
Scroll compressors
A scroll compressor has a simple design. It has two interleaved spiral scrolls—one stationary and the other moving in a circular motion around the fixed one. As the moving scroll orbits, it draws in vapor and gradually decreases in volume, compressing the gas. The transformation pushes the compressed gas into the condenser. The relative motion creating the compression is analogous to oscillating pistons, which leads to a very smooth rotary motion. This design allows for fewer moving parts, hence less wear and tear. Besides, the compressors are quiet and efficient compared to piston ones. They are often used in HVAC applications.
Reciprocating compressors
This compressor is designed with pistons that move back and forth to compress the refrigerant gas. They are well-known for their dependability—hence their broad application in commercial freezers. The design consists of valves that open and close with the piston movement, allowing the gas to be drawn in and discharged with each stroke. Valves can be either suction or discharge. The suction valves allow refrigerant gas to enter the cylinder, while the discharge valves enable compressed gas to exit and continue to the condenser.
Reciprocating compressors can be configured in various ways, making them versatile. Units with variable speed drives can adjust their capacity based on cooling loads. Single-stage or two-stage designs are more efficient under low temperatures. Many manufacturers of restaurant equipment compressors use this technique because of its flexibility and capacity to deal with high pressures.
Screw compressors
Screw compressors consist of two meshing, male and female rotors, that rotate in opposing directions to compress the gas. They are most appropriate for large commercial refrigeration systems due to their ability to run continuously at high speed. Screw compressors are designed to provide a constant discharge pressure. Features such as dual rotor profiles, integral motors, and wide-ranging cooling capacities enhance performance and reliability. They have low vibration and noise levels.
Centrifugal compressors
Centrifugal compressors use rotational energy to convert the velocity of the gas into pressure. The refrigerant gas enters the impeller and is thrown out by the rotation of the impeller. To further increase pressure, the compressed gas moves through a diffuser, where its velocity is reduced, and pressure increases. These compressors are best suited for large commercial refrigeration applications. They offer capacity control options to adjust cooling output, ensuring energy efficiency under variable load conditions.
Freezer compressors perform similar functions as refrigerator ones. They circulate refrigerants to remove heat and lower temperatures inside the commercial chest freezer or fridge. That way, the appliance can store food and any other perishable items effectively.
Functions include;
The application of a freezer compressor is vast and varied, with some of the primary uses highlighted below.
Restaurants and bars, typically commercial establishments, use freezers to preserve perishable items. They prepare numerous frozen items that require efficient storage in freezers. Ice is also critical for bars, and the establishment uses a freezer to keep ice in sufficient quantities for drinks and cocktails.
Grocery stores, supermarkets, and corner stores use the freezer to stock a wide range of frozen food, including meat, vegetables, ice cream, and ready-to-eat meals. These stores play an important role in food preservation, ensuring that customers can access frozen food with the required quality and safety standards.
Ice cream parlors and specialty frozen dessert shops depend on commercial freezers to store ice cream and serve their customers favorite frozen desserts. Ice cream is a popular treat in hot weather, so efficient ice cream storage and quick access to it are vital for any ice cream shop.
Pharmacies and hospitals both use commercial freezers to store vital medicines and vaccines. Certain medications require ultra-low freezing temperatures for effective storage and preservation. Commercial freezers provide a reliable approach to keeping these drugs at the required temperatures to guarantee their efficacy and safety.
Laboratories and research institutions use freezers to store biological samples that include blood, tissues, and DNA at extremely low temperatures. The preservation of these samples is vital for conducting experiments and research.
Catering companies that supply events or restaurants use freezers to store food before and during any special event. They keep food in the required conditions before cooking and serving it to guests.
Manufacturers of frozen food rely heavily on commercial freezers to store products during production and after production. Packaged food is kept in freezers to ensure it remains fresh before being distributed to various grocery stores and supermarkets.
Cold storage facilities are service companies that store products for businesses. They use commercial freezers to maintain cold storage rooms to provide storage for perishable goods.
Selecting the right commercial freezer compressor is critical in the successful operation of the commercial refrigeration system. Here are some of the tips that businesses can take into account when choosing one:
Q: How long should commercial freezer compressors last?
A: Most commercial compressors should last up to 20 years with proper maintenance. However, the actual lifespan will vary depending on the usage and environmental conditions. It will also require regular maintenance and checks to ensure it is running properly.
Q: What kind of maintenance do commercial freezer compressors need?
A: Maintenance for commercial freezer compressors is crucial for optimal performance. It includes routine cleaning of the compressor coils, checking for refrigerant leaks, ensuring the fan is working properly, and keeping the compressor oil level in check.
Q: What refrigerants do commercial freezer compressors use?
A: Most modern commercial freezer compressors use hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) refrigerants like R-404A and R-407C. These refrigerants have replaced the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that were popular years ago. CFCs damaged the ozone layer, and HFCs are more environmentally safe.
Q: How much power does a commercial freezer compressor use?
A: The amount of energy a freezer compressor uses depends on various factors, like the compressor's size and the freezer's capacity. Also, the energy consumption will vary based on the freezer's efficiency rating. Generally, a small commercial freezer can consume about 1.2 to 2.5 kWh per day.