Embraco to enable 30 percent energy savings on switching compressors in ice machines

The brand highlights the VNEX, a soon-to-be-launched variable speed compressor for large commercial applications, and its food service and aftermarket portfolio.

Embraco, a global provider of refrigeration technology for the complete residential and commercial cold chain and a Nidec Global Appliance brand, came out with the results of a case study with an ice machine that reached 34 percent energy savings after having its compressor switched. In the study, a model using R404A refrigerant was replaced by the Embraco EMX compressor, which runs on natural refrigerant R290.

Michel Moreira, Sales Director for the North American Region at Nidec Global Appliance, responsible for the Embraco portfolio, explained the exchange also provided a gain of 35 percent in ice production. “For us, the study demonstrates that the migration to natural refrigerants is the next trend for the ice machine market since it is a win-win situation: energy costs reduction and productivity increase combined with lower environmental impact because R290 has a global warming potential (GWP) close to zero, whereas the GWP of R404A is 3,922.” “It is also a future-proof solution, as it is suitable for current and expected legislation setting limits on the GWP (Global Warming Potential) of refrigeration equipment”, he adds.

The VNEX is Embraco’s future variable speed reciprocating compressor for large food retail applications in low and medium temperatures (LT and MT). It is large enough to cover up to 5 door reach in commercial freezers and large open-air refrigerators and offers its class’s highest cooling capacity and energy efficiency. Variable speed compressors have an embedded set of electronics that control the compressor’s working speed according to the refrigeration equipment’s demand. The energy saving can reach up to 40 percent compared to a fixed-speed compressor, depending on the application. “Variable speed is the best way to balance energy and food preservation regulations and requirements in the food service segment, especially in low temp applications”, states Moreira.

Embraco also specialises in the applications and needs of the food service and aftermarket segments. The EMX has a range of equivalent displacement from 4cc to 9.5 ccs and a cooling capacity of up to 2,985 BTU/h (ARI MBP). Besides ice machines, it is suitable for various applications such as under counters, professional kitchen’s reach in freezers and coolers, bottle coolers, and beer merchandisers due to the high starting torque motor (also suitable for thermostatic expansion valve) and the high efficiency. For ice machines and other food service applications that demand higher cooling capacity, Embraco will highlight the NEX and NTX compressors. The first reach up to 21 cc and 6,480 BTU/h of cooling capacity, whereas the NTX reaches up to 33 cc and 10,200 BTU/h(ARI MBP).