Copeland ZF/ZFI Low-Temperature Scroll Compressor

Overview

The Copeland ZF range is Copeland’s family of hermetic scroll compressors for medium- and low-temperature refrigeration, with an application envelope reaching evaporating temperatures as low as −45°C. It is intended for cold rooms, retail refrigeration and light industrial duties, and covers 2 to 50 hp across several technologies: ZF*KQE and ZF*KNE models with liquid injection, ZFI*KQE and ZFI*KNE models optimised for enhanced vapor injection with a subcooler, and ZFJ*KQE models that combine digital modulation with vapor injection. The Copeland ZF family is positioned by Copeland as an ideal replacement for semi-hermetic reciprocating compressors in this capacity band.

Seven Star LLC supplies Copeland ZF and ZFI compressors to refrigeration contractors, cold-store operators and equipment builders in Oman and across the GCC, with engineering support in Muscat. We help customers identify the correct model, motor code and bill of materials, and supply the matching EVI control kit, sound jacket and other accessories listed in the Copeland catalog.

Operating Principle

Like all Copeland scroll compressors, the Copeland ZF compresses gas between a fixed and an orbiting scroll. Copeland’s compliant design keeps the scroll flanks in continuous contact through centrifugal force, minimising leakage, while axial and radial compliance lets the scrolls separate briefly if liquid or debris enters, making the compressor tolerant of liquid slugging and flooded starts. A dynamic discharge valve allows the discharge gas to reach the required pressure, avoiding re-compression losses, and a discharge check valve isolates high-pressure gas so the compressor starts unloaded with low inrush current.

At low evaporating temperatures the pressure ratio across a Copeland ZF compressor is high and discharge temperature rises, so the range uses injection to stay within limits. ZF*KQE models inject liquid through a DTC valve to regulate discharge temperature. ZFI models inject vapor at intermediate pressure from an economiser heat exchanger: liquid leaving the condenser is subcooled in a plate heat exchanger, increasing evaporator capacity, while the flashed vapor cools the compression process. Copeland states that vapor injection improves system capacity by 50% and efficiency by 20% on average at low-temperature rating conditions, based on internal testing.

Engineering Design of the Copeland ZF

The Copeland ZF line is built in 53, 63, 70, 90 and 130 frame sizes. Liquid-injection ZF*KQE models run from the 2 hp ZF06KQE to the 17 hp ZF54KQE, with displacements from 34.0 to 277.8 cc/rev, while vapor-injection ZFI*KQE models run from the 4 hp ZFI20KQE to the 50 hp ZFI180KQE, with displacements from 67.1 to 648.0 cc/rev. Connections are Rotalock or stub tube depending on the bill of materials, and three-phase motors are offered as TFD for 380–420 V/50 Hz and 460 V/60 Hz, with TFC, TF5, TF7 and single-phase PFV versions for other supplies. Larger ZFI96 to ZFI180 models use TRD and TRC motor codes.

Protection on the Copeland ZF range is matched to size. Lower-horsepower ZF, ZFI and ZFJ compressors use internal thermal protectors against phase loss or low charge, while the large ZF and ZFI models carry a new-generation electronic control module providing external scroll and motor protection and oil level protection. For ZFI models, Copeland supplies EVI control kits made up of a smart control module, an electronic expansion valve and three temperature sensors. The EXV holds vapor outlet superheat about 5 K above the inlet, switches to discharge temperature control if needed, and stops the compressor with an LED alarm and voltage-free relay if discharge temperature becomes dangerously high.

Key Features

The Copeland ZF family brings these engineering features to refrigeration systems:

• A wide envelope with evaporating temperatures down to −45°C covers frozen food storage and freezer duties.
• The 2 to 50 hp portfolio spans liquid injection, vapor injection and digital vapor injection technologies.
• Vapor injection raises system capacity by about 50% and efficiency by about 20% on average at low-temperature rating conditions.
• Compliant scrolls tolerate liquid slugging and debris, and the design has 70% fewer moving parts than reciprocating compressors.
• Condensing operation down to 5°C for low-temperature applications improves seasonal efficiency in cooler months.
• Approval covers R404A, R507, R22, R448A and R449A, with R407A, R407C, R407F and R134a for selected models.
• Large models include an electronic module for scroll, motor and oil level protection.
• EVI control kits and optional sound jackets are available as matched accessories.

Industrial Applications

The Copeland ZF family is used in walk-in and modular cold rooms, freezer stores, supermarket condensing units and compressor racks and light industrial process refrigeration. ZFI vapor-injection models are particularly suited to low-temperature freezer duty, where a single-stage compressor would otherwise lose capacity and efficiency, and ZFJ digital models suit systems that need continuous capacity control. In the GCC these applications include frozen-food distribution warehouses, fisheries and seafood processing, poultry and meat plants, and catering kitchens for hotels, hospitals and remote camps serving oil and gas operations.

Oman’s food logistics hubs around Sohar, Salalah and Duqm and the fisheries sector along the coast depend on dependable low-temperature refrigeration in high ambient conditions. Seven Star LLC supplies the Copeland ZF and ZFI range with engineering support in Muscat, helping contractors choose between liquid and vapor injection models and order the correct control kits and spares for projects across Oman and the GCC.

Technical Specifications

The following Copeland ZF data is summarised from the September 2025 Copeland product catalog; refer to the attached catalog for performance tables at specific conditions.

How to Order

Send Seven Star LLC an RFQ with the Copeland ZF or ZFI model, motor code and BOM number, or with your required capacity and evaporating temperature for a new design. Our refrigeration team confirms regional warehouse availability, provides the Copeland ZF datasheet information in the catalog attached to this page and can quote related equipment such as the Copeland D3DS5-1500-AWM/D semi-hermetic compressor, the Alco 240RA refrigerant solenoid valve or the Alfa Laval M6 plate heat exchanger. Seven Star LLC is a trusted supplier offering engineering support in Muscat to customers throughout Oman and the GCC.