Copeland ZB Scroll Compressor for Medium Temperature Refrigeration

Overview

The Copeland ZB scroll compressor is the Copeland range for medium temperature commercial refrigeration, used in cold rooms, supermarket display cases, food processing and cold chain systems. This page covers the larger ZB models described in the Copeland application guidelines: ZB50KCE to ZB114KCE and ZB66K5E to ZB114K5E. They are vertical single scroll compressors with one scroll compression set driven by a three-phase induction motor, with the scroll set mounted at the upper end of the vertical rotor shaft. The sister ZF34K5E to ZF54K5E models in the same document serve low temperature duties.

Seven Star LLC supplies the Copeland ZB scroll compressor to refrigeration contractors, cold store operators, food producers and service companies in the Sultanate of Oman and the GCC. Medium temperature refrigeration runs around the clock in Oman’s climate, in hypermarkets in Muscat, fish processing plants in Duqm and Salalah, dairy and beverage facilities and logistics cold stores near Sohar Port. With engineering support in Muscat, our team helps match the replacement model, BOM version and refrigerant to the existing installation.

Operating Principle

In general terms, a scroll compressor uses two interleaved spiral scrolls: one fixed and one orbiting. As the orbiting scroll moves, pockets of refrigerant gas are trapped at the outer edge and progressively reduced in volume as they move toward the centre, where the compressed gas is discharged. The process is continuous, with few moving parts and no suction or discharge valves in the compression path, which explains the smooth operation and good tolerance of the scroll principle that refrigeration engineers value. In the Copeland ZB, the scroll set sits above the motor on the vertical shaft and suction gas enters the shell, helping cool the motor.

Copeland stresses that the superheat at the compressor suction inlet must always be sufficient to keep refrigerant droplets out of the compressor; for a typical evaporator and expansion valve arrangement a minimum stable superheat of at least 5 K is required. Correct control of evaporating pressure, condensing pressure and superheat is essential, whatever the climatic conditions and capacity demand. Application envelopes and performance data for each Copeland ZB model are available from the Copeland Select software, as referenced in the guidelines.

Engineering Design of the Copeland ZB

ZB*KCE and ZB*K5E models are built on the same compressor platform with small differences. Both use Rotalock suction and discharge connections (1 3/4 inch and 1 1/4 inch Rotalock sizes per the dimension table), an oil sight glass and a Schraeder oil valve, and Klixon internal motor protection. The Copeland ZB*KCE models have a traditional three-screw terminal connection with IP21 terminal box as standard, or IP66 with the moulded plug option, and are fitted with Advanced Scroll Temperature Protection (ASTP). The ZB*K5E models have a raised suction fitting, an IP54 terminal box and require an external discharge line thermostat, which is included in their standard delivery.

ASTP on the Copeland ZB KCE models is a temperature-sensitive thermo-disc that protects the compressor from discharge gas overheating: when a critical temperature is reached, the scrolls separate and stop pumping while the motor continues to run, until the motor protector opens. Copeland notes that it may take more than one hour for the ASTP and motor protector to reset, and advises an additional external discharge thermostat for applications near the upper left corner of the envelope. For the high-pressure side the maximum allowable pressure PS is 32 bar(g), and 22.6 bar(g) for the low-pressure side, with PED category II for the qualified A1 refrigerants.

Key Features

The Copeland ZB application guidelines describe the following key features of these compressors.

• Vertical single scroll design with one scroll set driven by a three-phase induction motor.
• Qualified for R404A, R407A, R407F, R448A, R449A and R134a, plus R22 for KCE models and R407C for K5E models.
• Factory charged with Emkarate RL32 3MAF POE oil, with Mobil EAL Arctic 22 CC also listed for servicing.
• Rotalock suction and discharge connections simplify replacement and service.
• Klixon internal motor protection is provided on all models covered by the guidelines.
• ASTP discharge temperature protection is built into ZB50KCE to ZB114KCE models.
• BOM versions 551, 651 and 567 cover T-box and moulded plug connection variants with rubber mounting parts.
• A crankcase heater is required when the system refrigerant charge exceeds 7.5 kg.

Industrial Applications

The Copeland ZB serves medium temperature applications such as walk-in and modular cold rooms, chilled food distribution centres, supermarket multi-deck cabinets, fruit and vegetable storage, dairy and meat processing, beverage cooling and pharmaceutical cold chain stores. In Oman, high summer ambient temperatures push condensing temperatures up, so correct selection with Copeland Select, good condenser sizing and proper superheat control are critical for reliable operation and long compressor life.

Seven Star LLC supplies the Copeland ZB alongside other Copeland compressors, including the Copeland ZR125KCE scroll compressor and Copeland ZR250KCE-TED-522 scroll compressor for air conditioning and chillers, and the Copeland D3DS5-1500-AWM/D semi-hermetic compressor for larger refrigeration duties. Contractors in Muscat, Sohar, Duqm and Salalah use our Muscat team to source matching compressors and crankcase heaters for their projects.

Technical Specifications

The table summarises Copeland ZB data from the Copeland application guidelines for ZB50KCE to ZB114KCE and ZB66K5E to ZB114K5E; capacity and power data per model are available in Copeland Select.

How to Order

To order a Copeland ZB scroll compressor, send Seven Star LLC the full model and BOM code from the nameplate, the refrigerant and the supply voltage, or your required cooling capacity and operating conditions. Our refrigeration team in Muscat will check the selection, share the technical documentation for download and prepare a formal quotation. Seven Star LLC supplies Copeland compressors to customers in Oman and the GCC with engineering support.