Large Secop Variable-Speed R290 Compressor Saves Up to 40% in Energy Use

By Tine Stausholm, Nov 18, 2021, 09:16 2 minute reading

The SLVE18CN compressor is also compliant with the EU’s new Ecodesign and F-Gas Regulations.

The Secop SLVE18CN R290 compressor.

German manufacturer Secop’s large SLVE18CN propane (R290) variable-speed compressor can save up to 40% in energy consumption, compared to standard fixed-speed compressors, the company said in a statement.

The SLVE18CN was launched in November 2020 and can accommodate the new 500g charge limit set by IEC.

The hermetic R290 compressor, which is compliant with the EU Ecodesign and F-Gas Regulations, can reduce the refrigerant charge needed by 63% and the refrigerant cost by up to 80%. These were the results when Secop tested and optimized a commercial multi-deck cabinet with a volume of 1,062L (280.5gal) and a working temperature of 2°C (35.6°F).

The SLVE18CN has an 18cc displacement volume, more than 2kW (0.71TR) cooling capacity, a COP of up to 2.25 and an operating envelope stretching from -45 to 10°C (-49 to 50°F). It is equipped with Secop’s CCD speed controller and Tool4Cool software, making it easily customizable, according to Secop’s website

It is suitable for both low-temperature and medium-temperature applications like ice cream display freezers, multi-deck cabinets, refrigerated display cases and stainless-steel reach-in freezers.

Variable-speed compressors made up 6-7% of Secop’s commercial compressor sales in November 2020, according to Peter Michael Hansen, Head of Global Application and MD at Secop, but the share is growing all the time, driven mainly by energy-efficiency regulations, Hansen said at the time.

The Secop story

Secop has a mission to promote the use of natural refrigerants and energy-efficient, sustainable refrigeration systems. The company came into being a decade ago when German holding company Aurelius AG acquired Danfoss Compressors. After the takeover, the name was changed to Secop GmbH.

In 2017, Japanese manufacturer Nidec acquired Secop. However, due to its subsequent acquisition of another compressor manufacturer, Embraco, Nidec was required to divest the Secop business. The European ESSVP IV investment fund completed its acquisition of Secop from Nidec in September 2019. 

In 2021, Secop consolidated its operations at its headquarters in Flensburg, northern Germany, aiming to provide better support for the company’s expansion and business development plans for the coming years. 

The Secop group has around 1,350 employees, with production sites in Slovakia and China, as well as research centers in Germany, Austria, Slovakia, China and the U.S.

Want to find out more, or have something to say about this story? Join the ATMO Connect network to meet and engage with like-minded stakeholders in the clean cooling and natural refrigerant arena.

By Tine Stausholm (@TStausholm)

Nov 18, 2021, 09:16




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