Russian Compressor Market in 2009�2010

Generally, modern refrigerating equipment uses reciprocating, scroll and screw compressors. Rotary compressors widely used in air conditioning units are rare in refrigerating ones.

Volume flow rate – that is volume of refrigerant sucked per time unit – may reach thousands of cubic meters. When comparing different models, we will use this characteristic as the most accurate and independent of operating conditions.

Reciprocating compressors are most common on the refrigerating equipment market. They can be used widely: in separate units supplying small chambers and in multiple-compressor packages.

Hermetic reciprocating compressors are used in commercial refrigerating equipment, units for small cold rooms, remote units for commercial equipment and small capacity multiple-compressor packages. The main advantage of these compressors are low price and no need for maintenance. However, it is compensated by strict engineering and installation requirements. Besides, hermetic compressors are not repairable. Despite this fact, Russian handymen often do it using several failed ones to repair one device.

Tecumseh Europe and Danfoss (Maneurop trademark) are leaders of the hermetic reciprocating compressor market (except for built-in compressors for commercial equipment). Both manufacturers offer models of volume flow rate of up to 47 m³/h (4 cylinder compressors). Manufacturing facilities of both companies are located in France.

Scroll compressors have become more popular in refrigerating equipment recently. Energy-efficiency, high reliability, long service life, small size, easy installation, low noise and vibration level as compared to reciprocating compressors and low pressure fluctuation are their advantages. However, certain design features complicate their operation under low temperatures thus putting obstacles in the way of their prevalence.

Scroll compressors are used in compressor-condenser units and multiple-compressor packages (central cooling machines). In this segment leadership belongs to Copeland. The company offers a wide range of scroll compressors both for medium and low temperatures of volume flow rate of up to 82 m³/h.

Danfoss Performer series that appeared recently at the Russian market can also be used for medium temperatures.

Well-proven Copeland Digital Scroll compressors can be used in refrigerating equipment successfully. Their capacity can be adjusted smoothly in the range from 10 to 100% which is critical when a single unit feeds several loads (e.g. in a small shop). According to the Russian office of Copeland, Digital Scroll compressors rapidly gain popularity on the Russian refrigeration market since they make it possible to obtain a solution with accuracy of adjustment comparable with that of frequency regulation units but with less expenditures.

In the range of 20-25 m³/h and more accessible or semihermetic compressors enter into serious competition with hermetic reciprocating and scroll compressors. They feature reliability, long service life and serviceability as well as capacity adjustment by means of valve release (for models with 4 and more cylinders). However unlike hermetic ones, these compressors usually require installation and maintenance to be performed by more competent specialists.

From 55 to 65% of this segment of the Russian market is occupied by Bitzer, Germany. Its reciprocating compressors feature volume flow rate from 4 to 221 m³/h (8 cylinder units).

Volume flow rate of DWM Copeland compressors manufactured at one of Emerson divisions varies from 4 to 210 m³/h. Standard production range comprises K (4…9 m³/h), L (10…22 m³/h) and S (22…210 m³/h) series. DWM Copeland Discus series feature improved efficiency and cooling power.

BOCK, Germany, offers compressors of volume flow rate of up to 280 m³/h. Its products are reliable and undemanding. Recently its prices have reached the Bitzer level.

Frascold, Italy, offers widest model range of 4–205 m³/h volume flow rate units, so that buyers could select acceptable products.

Another Italian company – Dorin – renews its production range: K series compressors are replaced by modern, compact, light and energy-efficient H series with low noise level. They also equipped with teflon-coated bearings that reduce risk of compressor failure in case of oil shortage.

Reciprocating compressors can be found in the heavy-duty segment, too. Here, such companies as Grasso (GEA) and Mycom lead among manufacturers of open-type ammonia compressors rotary screw compressors are used in refrigerating equipment, too.

As in the segment of semihermetic reciprocating compressors, Bitzer is an absolute leader. Its HS product line comprises two series (HSN – low temperature and HSK – medium temperature units) of compressors of flow rate capacity from 84 to 535 m³/h. All Bitzer accessible screw compressors feature step capacity control and several models, stepless one.

Frascold screw compressors of flow rate capacity from 120 to 360 m³/h are uncommon on the Russian market. The most part of compressors operated in Russia is installed in central cooling machines by TEKO, Germany. Production of RefComp, another Italian company, can be found even more rarely. It offers units of flow rate capacity from 118 to 341 m³/h.

Flow rate capacity of Hanbell compressors, Taiwan, falls into range from 98 to 1523 m³/h which makes them suitable both for commercial and industrial application. Besides, they are notable for good value for money.

The majority of screw compressors on the Russian refrigeration equipment market is represented by twin screw compressors. Actually only J&E Hall, England, offers single screw compressors of flow rate capacity from 175 to 808 m³/h.

The Russian market of compressors for commercial cooling equipment (from hermetic reciprocating to screw devices) amounts to € 30-40 mln per year. The wide range can be explained both by prevalence of ‘grey’ equipment and lack of accurate definition for ‘commercial cooling equipment’.

Bitzer is followed far behind by other foreign producers on the Russian market. The company has 40…50% of all sales of compressor for commercial cooling equipment. In the first place such success can be explained both by extensive distribution network basing on opportunities of eight approved distributors and by broad service support provided by 3 approved and 7 authorized service centers. We also should not forget that Bitzer was one of the first niche companies to open its office in Russia and began to promote its products here.

The article has been prepared by Sergey Buchin and Sergey Smagin.