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

November 23, 2021

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 500 g 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 1,062 L (280.5 gal) and a working temperature of 2°C (35.6°F).

The SLVE18CN has an 18cc displacement volume, more than 2 kW (0.71 TR) 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.