The Evolution of Predictive Protection – By Ben Picker
For years, the outdoor refrigeration condensing unit has been the workhorse of small- and large-format food retailers. It’s called upon to endure extreme climates and continuously support walk-in refrigerator and freezer operations.
With energy costs rising, corporate sustainability goals increasing, and embedded electronics and equipment technologies emerging, many food retailers are looking to add efficiency and eco-friendliness to their refrigeration checklist. The Copeland Scroll Outdoor Refrigeration Unit (X-Line) is Emerson Climate Technologies’ answer to those questioning the long-term practicality and viability of their refrigeration technology.
Addressing this need in the market is not new to Emerson — X-Line units were introduced to North America back in 2008. The new, second generation X-Line (X-Line 2.0), builds upon the technology of the original models to offer best-in-class energy efficiency, uptime and flexibility, all while providing advanced diagnostics and protection from an integrated suite of electronic controls.
Unique Proactive Diagnostics
What is most unique about X-Line 2.0 compared to others in the industry is the comprehensive range of system protection it offers. Based on a fully integrated electronic control system that combines pressure, defrost, electronic valve, fan speed, diagnostics and communications controls into one modular control, X-Line 2.0 offers comprehensive control, protection and smart store technology that meets the demands of modern food retail requirements. Using our proven CoreSense™ technology for Copeland compressors, the unit’s controls and sensors are designed to provide both proactive and reactive protection.
Increase Efficiencies
X-Line 2.0 units utilize Copeland Scroll compressors that are compatible with the emerging class of newly approved, low-GWP refrigerants. The condenser’s sizing has been optimized as well, with large coils and integrated electronic controls. This design not only meets the DOE’s annual walk-in efficiency factor (AWEF) standards, it also provides 15–20 percent energy efficiency ratio improvements for every 10 °F drop in head pressure. At test sites, users are saving 20 percent on average in energy costs with X-Line 2.0 units compared to other units. See our energy savings calculator here: http://xjenergycalc.emersonclimate.com/xjenergycalc/.
Maximize Uptime
X-Line’s electronic controls provide the advanced diagnostics and complete system protection to prevent catastrophic compressor failures and accelerate the repair process. X-Line’s diagnostics and communication capabilities further enable advanced warnings and improved uptime. By connecting the unit to a site supervisory control — such as an E2 or ecoSYS Site Supervisor available from Emerson, or other controls available from third parties — system issues can be identified and scheduled for repairs before leading to a system failure or product loss. Some issues can even be diagnosed and repaired remotely.
This blog is a summary of the article The Evolution of Predictive Protection from our recent edition of E360 Outlook. Click here to learn more about our Copeland Scroll Outdoor Refrigeration Unit.