Panorama of the condensing unit industry: dual-wheel drive of technology iteration and market expansion

What is a condensing unit

The condensing unit is a key component of the refrigeration system, mainly composed of compressors, condensers, fans and other components. It compresses the refrigerant into high-temperature and high-pressure gas through the compressor, then dissipates heat in the condenser, cools the refrigerant and condenses it into liquid, thereby realizing the refrigeration cycle. Its function is to provide power for the entire refrigeration system and ensure that the refrigerant circulates continuously in the system to achieve the purpose of lowering the temperature. It is widely used in a variety of refrigeration equipment such as air conditioners, cold storage, and refrigerated trucks.

Importance of Condensing Units

In modern industrial and commercial fields, condensing units play a vital role. For the food storage industry, it can ensure that the cold storage maintains a low temperature environment, extend the shelf life of food, and ensure the freshness and safety of food. In the air conditioning system, the performance of the condensing unit directly affects the indoor temperature regulation effect and comfort. In addition, in some laboratories, electronic factories and other places with strict temperature control requirements, the stable operation of the condensing unit is a key factor in ensuring the normal operation of equipment and the smooth progress of production processes.

Purpose and application

Large cold storage

Refrigerated transport vehicles

Central air conditioning system

Food processing production line

Laboratories and scientific research institutions

Main features of condensing units

1. High refrigeration efficiency

Modern condensing units use advanced compressor technology and condenser design to improve refrigeration efficiency. Scroll compressors have the advantages of high efficiency, smooth operation and low noise, and are widely used in various condensing units. At the same time, the efficient condenser can quickly dissipate the heat of the refrigerant, so that the refrigerant condenses into liquid faster, thereby improving the efficiency of the entire refrigeration cycle and reducing energy consumption.

2. Strong stability

Condensing units are usually equipped with complete protection devices, such as overload protection, overheating protection, pressure protection, etc., and can operate stably under various working conditions. Its structural design also takes into account factors such as earthquake resistance and shock resistance to ensure reliable operation under different environmental conditions. In some industrial sites with large vibrations, the mounting brackets and internal components of the condensing unit are specially designed to effectively reduce the impact of vibration on the equipment and ensure its stable operation.

3. Good compatibility

Condensing units are compatible with a variety of refrigerants, such as traditional R22 refrigerants, as well as new refrigerants such as R410A and R32 that have been promoted in recent years to meet environmental protection requirements. At the same time, it can also be used with different types of evaporators, throttling devices and other refrigeration components to form a complete refrigeration system to meet the needs of different users. In addition, some condensing units also have a variety of interfaces and communication protocols, which can be integrated with other equipment to achieve intelligent control.

4. Good durability

The shell of the condensing unit is usually made of corrosion-resistant and high-strength materials, such as stainless steel, galvanized steel plate, etc., which can resist the erosion of the external environment. The internal components have undergone strict quality inspection and durability testing and have a long service life. The high-quality condenser fins are treated with anti-corrosion, which can effectively prevent rust and dust accumulation, ensure heat dissipation effect, and extend the service life of the equipment.

5. High degree of intelligence

With the development of science and technology, more and more condensing units have intelligent control functions. They can monitor the temperature, pressure, flow and other parameters of the refrigeration system in real time through sensors, and automatically adjust the operating status according to the set program to achieve energy-saving operation. At the same time, it can also be connected to the central control system through the network interface to achieve remote monitoring and fault diagnosis, which is convenient for users to manage and maintain, and improve the reliability and management efficiency of equipment operation.

Why are condensing units better than traditional refrigeration equipment?

1. Improved energy efficiency

Traditional refrigeration equipment often uses a relatively simple refrigeration cycle and inefficient compressors, which consume a lot of energy. Modern condensing units have significantly improved energy efficiency by optimizing the refrigeration cycle and using technologies such as high-efficiency compressors and condensers. Condensing units using variable frequency technology can automatically adjust the compressor speed according to the actual refrigeration needs, reduce energy consumption at low loads, and have better energy-saving effects than traditional fixed-frequency condensing units.

2. Extended service life

Traditional refrigeration equipment has a relatively short service life due to component quality and design defects. Condensing units use high-quality components and advanced design concepts, and after strict quality control and testing, their service life can reach 20 years or even longer. This not only reduces the frequency of equipment replacement and reduces the user's equipment investment cost, but also reduces the downtime and maintenance costs caused by equipment replacement.

3.Reduced maintenance costs

Traditional refrigeration equipment has a complex structure, components that are easily damaged, and a large maintenance workload. It is necessary to regularly replace components such as lubricating oil and filters, and troubleshooting and repair are difficult. Condensing units adopt a modular design, with strong component versatility and easy maintenance. Its intelligent control system can monitor the operating status of the equipment in real time, warn of faults in advance, and facilitate users to perform maintenance in time, reducing the number of repairs and maintenance costs. At the same time, due to its high reliability and low failure rate, maintenance costs are further reduced.

4.Enhanced refrigeration performance

The refrigeration performance of traditional refrigeration equipment will drop significantly in harsh environments such as high temperature and high humidity, making it difficult to meet actual needs. Condensing units are specially designed to operate stably in a wide temperature range and adapt to different environmental conditions. Some condensing units can work normally at low ambient temperatures, with stable cooling capacity, and can provide users with reliable refrigeration services, even in extreme weather conditions.

5.Superior environmental performance

Traditional refrigeration equipment mostly uses refrigerants that are destructive to the ozone layer, which does not meet environmental protection requirements. Condensing units are gradually using environmentally friendly refrigerants that have no destructive effect on the ozone layer and have a low greenhouse effect potential (GWP), which is in line with global environmental protection trends. At the same time, condensing units reduce energy consumption by improving energy efficiency, thereby reducing carbon emissions and contributing to environmental protection.

Where are condensing units most commonly used?

1. Large cold storage

Large cold storage is one of the main application places for condensing units, such as meat cold storage, fruit and vegetable cold storage, and pharmaceutical cold storage. These cold storages have high requirements for refrigeration capacity, and require condensing units to provide strong refrigeration capacity to maintain a low temperature environment in the storage. A 10,000-ton meat cold storage may need to be equipped with multiple large condensing units to form a centralized refrigeration system to ensure that the temperature in the cold storage is uniform and stably maintained below -18°C to ensure the storage quality of meat.

2. Refrigerated transport vehicles

Refrigerated transport vehicles are used to transport temperature-sensitive goods such as fresh food and medicines, and condensing units are their key components. It provides refrigeration function for the carriage to keep the temperature in the carriage stable during transportation. Depending on the transported goods, the temperature requirements of refrigerated trucks are also different. For example, the temperature of refrigerated trucks transporting flowers is generally controlled at 2-8°C, and the temperature of refrigerated trucks transporting vaccines needs to be controlled at 2-8°C or below -20°C. The condensing unit can accurately adjust the temperature according to demand to ensure the quality of the goods during transportation.

3. Central air conditioning system

Central air conditioning systems are widely used in large commercial buildings, industrial plants and office buildings. As the outdoor unit of the central air conditioner, the condensing unit is responsible for dissipating the heat transferred from the indoor unit to achieve indoor temperature regulation. Different types of central air conditioning systems can be equipped with different forms of condensing units. For example, air-cooled condensing units are suitable for places where there is a lack of water or it is difficult to install a cooling water system. Water-cooled condensing units have the advantages of high refrigeration efficiency and stable operation. They are often used in places with high refrigeration requirements such as large shopping malls and industrial plants.

4. Food processing production line

Many links in the food processing production line require refrigeration, such as raw material cooling and finished product refrigeration. The condensing unit provides refrigeration support for food processing equipment to ensure the smooth progress of the food processing process and food quality safety. For example, on the ice cream production line, the condensing unit is used to cool the raw materials and freeze the finished products, so that the ice cream can be made and stored at a suitable temperature to ensure its taste and quality.

5.Laboratories and scientific research institutions

Some experimental equipment in laboratories and scientific research institutions need to operate in a specific temperature environment, such as low-temperature refrigerators, constant temperature and humidity chambers, etc. These equipment are usually provided with refrigeration functions by condensing units. Scientific research experiments require extremely high temperature accuracy. Condensing units need to have high-precision temperature control capabilities and be able to control temperature fluctuations within a very small range to meet experimental requirements and ensure the accuracy and reliability of experimental results.

How to install a condensing unit: a step-by-step guide

Space requirements: The condensing unit should be installed in a well-ventilated and spacious location, and there should be enough space around for heat dissipation and maintenance. Generally speaking, the distance between the condensing unit and the wall or other obstacles should be no less than 500mm, and at least 1000mm of space should be left on the top to ensure smooth air circulation and avoid poor heat dissipation.

Environmental requirements: Avoid installing the condensing unit in an environment with high temperature, high humidity, dust or corrosive gases. If it cannot be avoided, appropriate protective measures should be taken, such as installing a protective cover, adding ventilation equipment, etc. At the same time, the condensing unit should be installed on a flat and solid foundation to prevent vibration and noise during equipment operation.

Refrigerant pipeline: When connecting the refrigerant pipeline, ensure that the pipeline is clean and free of impurities to avoid pipeline blockage or leakage. The diameter of the pipeline should be selected according to the cooling capacity and refrigerant type of the condensing unit. The connection method can be welding or threaded connection. When welding, care should be taken to prevent pipeline deformation and welding slag from entering the pipeline. Sealing tape or sealant should be used for threaded connection to ensure sealing performance.

Cooling water pipeline (water-cooled): For water-cooled condensing units, cooling water pipelines need to be connected. The cooling water pipeline should be made of corrosion-resistant pipes such as stainless steel pipes or copper pipes. When connecting, pay attention to the slope of the pipeline to ensure that the cooling water can flow smoothly and avoid water accumulation. At the same time, necessary valves and filters should be installed to facilitate water flow adjustment and filter impurities.

Power supply requirements: The power supply of the condensing unit should meet the rated voltage and frequency requirements of the equipment, and the power supply capacity should be sufficient to meet the operation requirements of the equipment. When connecting the power supply, the wiring should be strictly in accordance with the electrical schematic diagram to ensure that the wiring is correct and firm to avoid short circuits or open circuits.

Control circuit: Condensing units are usually equipped with control circuits for connecting temperature sensors, pressure sensors and other components to achieve automatic control of the equipment. When connecting the control circuit, attention should be paid to the insulation performance of the circuit to prevent the circuit from being damp or damaged, which will affect the control function of the equipment.

Check components: Before starting the condensing unit, carefully check the various components of the equipment, including the compressor, condenser, fan, valve, etc., to ensure that the components are installed correctly and not loose, the pipes are firmly connected, and the electrical circuits are connected correctly.

Filling refrigerant: Add an appropriate amount of refrigerant according to the requirements of the condensing unit. When filling refrigerant, attention should be paid to the operating specifications to avoid refrigerant leakage. The refrigerant filling amount can be ensured to meet the requirements by observing instruments such as the refrigerant pressure gauge and liquid level gauge.

Trial run: After completing the above inspections and preparations, the power can be turned on for trial run. During the trial run, the operating status of the equipment should be observed, including the operating sound of the compressor, the heat dissipation of the condenser, the speed of the fan, etc., and the temperature, pressure and other parameters should be checked to see if they are normal. If there is any abnormality, the machine should be stopped for inspection immediately, and the fault should be eliminated before re-trial run.

Choosing the right condensing unit: What you need to know

Cooling capacity calculation: Calculate the required cooling capacity based on factors such as the size of the place of use, insulation performance, ambient temperature, and required cooling temperature. A rough calculation can be made using the formula. You can also refer to relevant refrigeration design manuals or consult professionals. The cooling capacity requirements of different places vary greatly. For example, a small cold storage may only require a few tens of kilowatts of cooling capacity, while a large industrial cold storage may require hundreds of kilowatts or even higher cooling capacity.

Refrigeration temperature requirements: Clarify the required refrigeration temperature range, whether it is low-temperature refrigeration (below -20℃), medium-temperature refrigeration (-5℃ to -20℃), or high-temperature refrigeration (above 0℃). Different types of condensing units are suitable for different refrigeration temperature ranges. For example, condensing units using CO₂refrigerant are often used in the field of low-temperature refrigeration, while condensing units using R410A refrigerant can be used in medium and high temperature refrigeration occasions.

Environmental requirements: With the increasingly stringent environmental regulations, condensing units using environmentally friendly refrigerants should be given priority. Refrigerants such as R410A and R32 have low GWP values, no destructive effect on the ozone layer, and meet environmental requirements. For some places with higher environmental requirements, such as Europe, more and more companies are beginning to use condensing units with natural refrigerants such as CO₂.

Performance characteristics: Different refrigerants have different performance characteristics, which will affect the refrigeration efficiency and operating pressure of the condensing unit. The condensing pressure of R410A refrigerant is relatively high, requiring the components of the condensing unit to have higher pressure resistance, but its refrigeration efficiency is relatively high; CO₂ refrigerant has good heat transfer performance and a low GWP value, but the operating pressure is extremely high, and the sealing and strength requirements of the equipment are stringent.

Air-cooled and water-cooled: Air-cooled condensing units dissipate heat through air, do not require a cooling water system, are easy to install, and are suitable for places where there is a lack of water or it is difficult to install a cooling water system, but the cooling efficiency is relatively low and the noise is relatively high. Water-cooled condensing units use water as a cooling medium, with high refrigeration efficiency and stable operation, but require the installation of a cooling water system, which is suitable for large refrigeration places.

Stand-alone and centralized: Stand-alone condensing units are usually independent equipment, suitable for small refrigeration systems, such as small cold storage, small air conditioners, etc., with the advantages of simple installation and convenient maintenance. Centralized condensing units are composed of multiple compressors and condensers and other components, which can provide refrigeration services for multiple refrigeration terminals. They are suitable for large commercial buildings, industrial plants and other places. They have the advantages of large cooling capacity, high operating efficiency, and convenient centralized management, but the investment cost is relatively high.

Brand reputation: Choosing a condensing unit from a well-known brand usually guarantees its product quality and after-sales service. Well-known brands have been tested by the market, have a high reputation and good reputation, and have more advantages in technology research and development, production processes and quality control. The reputation of the brand can be understood through online evaluations, industry reports, customer recommendations, etc.

Product quality: Check the product certification of the condensing unit to ensure that the product meets the relevant standards. At the same time, understand the quality of the product's components, such as the brand and model of the compressor, the material and structure of the condenser, etc. High-quality components are the key to ensuring the performance and reliability of the condensing unit.

Installation method: Consider whether the installation method of the condensing unit meets the site conditions and whether it is easy to install and debug. Some condensing units adopt a modular design, which is simple and quick to install, and can greatly shorten the installation cycle. At the same time, pay attention to the size and weight of the unit, ensure that the installation site can withstand the weight of the unit, and have enough space for installation operations.

Maintenance requirements: Understand the maintenance requirements and maintenance cycles of the condensing unit, and choose products that are easy to maintain and have low maintenance costs. Some condensing units have automatic diagnosis functions, which can display fault information on the display screen, so that users can quickly troubleshoot faults; some units have components that are easy to disassemble, which are convenient for replacement and maintenance, and can reduce maintenance workload and maintenance time.

Keep the condensing unit in top condition: Maintenance and troubleshooting tips

1. Clean external dust and debris regularly

Air-cooled units: Use a soft brush or compressed air to clean dust, catkins, leaves, etc. on fan blades and heat sink fins every month (avoid using a high-pressure water gun to prevent fin deformation).

Water-cooled units: Check whether the cooling water pipes are scaled, and clean the condenser pipes with chemicals (such as citric acid) every year to remove scale.

Evaporative units: Clean impurities from the water nozzles and water collection trays to prevent blockage, and replace the circulating water regularly to avoid algae growth.

2. Ensure smooth ventilation

Keep at least 50cm of heat dissipation space around the air-cooled unit to avoid obstruction.Check whether the fan motor is running smoothly and whether the blades are deformed, and replace worn bearings or fans in time.

3. Common faults and troubleshooting tips

Why Jinhao condensing units are the right choice for your project

Energy-saving: Jinhao condensing units use advanced energy-saving technology and have a high energy efficiency ratio, which means that they consume less electricity than other units when producing the same cooling capacity, which can effectively reduce the operating costs of the project.

Reliable performance: The unit uses high-quality compressors that can withstand high pressures, and adopts a fully enclosed or semi-enclosed design to ensure that the refrigerant does not leak and operates stably for many years. At the same time, its condenser and other components are made of high-quality materials, such as copper pipes and steel, which can adapt to different temperature and pressure environments.

Easy installation: Jinhao condensing units are designed for easy installation and come with detailed installation guides. Professionals can complete the installation in a short time, and the installation process does not require large-scale site modifications, saving time and labor costs. In addition, some models also have a compact design and take up little space, which is suitable for installation sites with limited space.

Simple maintenance: The unit has parts that are easy to disassemble and clean, such as washable filters, which can facilitate daily maintenance and ensure that the unit always maintains optimal operating conditions. At the same time, its corrosion-resistant shell can reduce wear and tear caused by external factors, reducing maintenance frequency and long-term maintenance costs.

Customized service: Jinhao can provide customized condensing units according to the specific needs of customers, whether it is size, shape or special functional requirements such as safety control, sound insulation materials, etc., can be personalized to meet the unique needs of different projects.