The refrigeration compressor capacity tables provide essential information about the cooling power of a system based on:
- Motor electrical power in HP.
- Evaporator temperature.
- Condenser temperature (in this case, 40°C).
Cooling capacity values also depend on the type of refrigerant, compressor type, and efficiency. However, the following tables can serve as general reference values.
How to Determine the Capacity of a Refrigeration Compressor
Cooling capacity refers to the system’s ability to extract heat from the evaporator at a specific evaporation and condensation temperature. This is the cooling power the system can provide when using the correct compressor, capillary tube, evaporator, condenser, and refrigerant under normal working conditions.
Cooling capacity, typically measured in Btu/h, Kcal/h, or Watts, is not the same as the compressor’s electrical power (commonly measured in HP or Watts). The latter refers to the electrical energy consumed by the compressor motor and does not indicate operation at a specific working temperature. Instead, it reflects the maximum electrical power the motor can handle without damage under any condition.
Cooling Capacity Table for a 1/3 HP Compressor
| Evaporator Temperature (°C) | -35°C | -30°C | -25°C | -20°C | -15°C | -10°C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooling Capacity (Btu/h) | 388.47 | 592.99 | 830.55 | 1108.75 | 1435.18 | 1817.44 |
Cooling capacity for a 1/3 HP compressor using R134a at various evaporator temperatures.
Cooling Capacity Table for a 1/4 HP Compressor
| Evaporator Temperature (°C) | -35°C | -30°C | -25°C | -20°C | -15°C | -10°C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooling Capacity (Btu/h) | 366.64 | 519.54 | 709.33 | 940.93 | 1219.30 | 1549.36 |
Average cooling capacity for a 1/4 HP compressor using R134a compared to evaporator temperature.
Cooling Capacity Table for a 1/5 HP Compressor
| Evaporator Temperature (°C) | -35°C | -30°C | -25°C | -20°C | -15°C | -10°C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooling Capacity (Btu/h) | 342.58 | 488.34 | 646.75 | 831.55 | 1056.50 | 1335.34 |
Cooling capacity for a 1/5 HP compressor using R134a at various evaporator temperatures.
Cooling Capacity Table for a 1/6 HP Compressor
| Evaporator Temperature (°C) | -35°C | -30°C | -25°C | -20°C | -15°C | -10°C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooling Capacity (Btu/h) | 241.43 | 359.65 | 510.75 | 693.50 | 906.64 | 1148.91 |
Cooling capacity for a 1/6 HP compressor using R134a compared to evaporator temperature.
Cooling Capacity Table for a 1/10 HP Compressor
| Evaporator Temperature (°C) | -30°C | -25°C | -20°C | -15°C | -10°C | -5°C | 0°C | 5°C | 10°C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooling Capacity (Btu/h) | 195.80 | 285.70 | 393.70 | 522.90 | 676.50 | 857.60 | 1069.30 | 1314.80 | 1597.00 |
Cooling capacity for a 1/10 HP compressor using R134a compared to evaporator temperature.
Cooling Capacity Table for a 1/12 HP Compressor
| Evaporator Temperature (°C) | -30°C | -25°C | -20°C | -15°C | -10°C | -5°C | 0°C | 5°C | 10°C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooling Capacity (Btu/h) | 113.38 | 176.50 | 255.41 | 351.16 | 468.83 | 607.50 | 770.20 | 959.00 | 1176.00 |
Cooling capacity for a 1/12 HP compressor using R134a compared to evaporator temperature.
How to Determine Compressor Capacity for Air Conditioning or High-Performance Refrigerators
Cooling capacity values in the following tables are expressed in kW. Note that 12,000 Btu/h = 3.5 kW. The type of refrigerant used significantly impacts these values.
Table 1: Compressor Cooling Capacity for R513A/R134a and R407C
| Model | HP | Cooling Capacity R513A/R134a (kW) | Cooling Capacity R407C (kW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZR24KRE | 2.0 | 3.5 | 5.0 |
| ZR28KRE | 2.5 | 4.2 | 5.9 |
| ZR36KRE | 3.0 | 5.2 | 7.6 |
| ZR42KRE | 3.5 | 6.2 | 8.9 |
| ZR48KRE | 4.0 | 6.9 | 10.3 |
| ZR61KRE | 5.0 | 9.0 | 13.0 |
| ZR69KRE | 5.5 | 10.2 | 14.3 |
Conditions: Evaporation Temperature 5°C, Condensation 50°C, Superheat 10 K, Subcooling 0 K. Source: Copeland Catalog.
Table 2: High-Power Compressor Cooling Capacity
| Model | HP | Cooling Capacity (kW) |
|---|---|---|
| ZR108KCE | 9.0 | 23.0 |
| ZR125KCE | 10.0 | 27.0 |
| ZR144KCE | 12.0 | 30.9 |
| ZR160KCE | 13.0 | 33.4 |
| ZR250KCE | 20.0 | 52.2 |
Conditions: Evaporation Temperature 5°C, Condensation 50°C, Superheat 10 K, Subcooling 0 K.
