Common Reasons for Compressor Failure

Think of the compressor as the heart of your refrigeration system. It pumps refrigerant gas away from the evaporator and into the condenser. And just like a heart, compressors need love and attention to ensure a healthy, long life.


If you don't properly care for your commercial refrigerator's compressor, it could fail. Unfortunately, this is often the case. Let's take a look at some common reasons for compressor failure:

1. Slugging

This happens when a system's compressor delivers liquid instead of gas. Listen for a loud knocking noise, which is a good indicator of this problem. It's important to have it looked at right away; otherwise, your refrigeration system could be severely damaged.

2. Flooding 

When refrigerant is returned as droplets instead of vapor, flooding develops. This can wash oil off of bearing surfaces, causing them to wear away and overheat. The expansion device should be inspected when flooding occurs.

3. Insufficient lubrication

Compressor failure due to loss or lack of lubrication is extremely common. It can happen for a number of reasons, from flooding to insufficient oil from the start. This leads to overheating due to extreme friction.

Other common reasons for compressor failure include:

• Contamination
• Overheating
• Electrical problems

If you're unsure why your refrigeration system's compressor has failed, call up the experts of East Coast Refrigeration at 631-249-4556. We offer 24-hour emergency service -- that's right, even on weekends and holidays.

For more tips on commercial and industrial refrigeration, find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube!

Can Industrial Refrigeration Be Used to Store Electricity?

The School of The Built Environment and Architecture at London South Bank University (LSBU) recently received a research grant to study cryogenic energy storage (CES), a new technology that could help us store surplus renewable energy.

According to an article published by ACHR News, as energy increasingly comes from renewable sources, like solar and wind, there's also an elevated risk for fluctuations in supply. That's because weather patterns can be unpredictable.

As it stands, we don't have an effective way to store energy from periods of high production. However, that could all change if LSBU's research project, dubbed CryoHub, has a breakthrough. Professor Judith Evans explains how CES could be used to create and store electricity:

CES essentially uses cheap, off-peak electricity to convert air into a liquid, which can then be stored over a long period of time in a storage vessel. Turning the liquid back to gas, by removing it from the store and applying heat to it, will produce a huge increase in volume and pressure — enough to power a turbine to generate electricity which can then be supplied back to the grid.

Because the liquid can be taken out of storage on demand, the technology can be used to restore electricity to the grid when energy demand is predicted to outstrip supply. It could also be used locally, also saving grid energy. CES is therefore a great complement to renewable energy sources, as it effectively safeguards against any periods of intermittent supply and helps to stabilize the energy grid.

The goal is to improve CES efficiency and make rolling it out on a large scale more feasible. To achieve this objective, CryoHub is looking to integrate it with "pre-existing large refrigeration facilities found in industrial refrigeration warehouses and food processing plants." The union may be able to enhance CES performance.

CO2 & Transport Refrigeration

Here at East Coast Refrigeration, we understand the benefits of CO2 refrigeration systems -- from environmental protection to electricity savings. This natural refrigerant is already being used in commercial refrigeration. Now, it's being considered for transport refrigeration.

 
Trucking Info reports that Carrier Transicold is already using CO2 in transport refrigeration units on sea containers. David Appel, president of Carrier Transicold & Refrigeration Systems issued the following statement in early October:

We are committed to expanding our proven, environmentally responsible natural refrigerant systems for road transport. Specifically, we are building on our expertise with the natural refrigerant carbon dioxide (CO2), which has a significantly lower global warming potential (GWP) than current synthetic refrigerants and their alternates.

Trucks in the US currently use R-404A, a hydrofluorcarbon (HFC) refrigerant, which is cleaner and safer than Freon. Switching to CO2, however, would be an even better option.

To learn more about CO2 refrigeration systems, give East Coast Refrigeration a call today at 631-249-4556. Don't forget to find us on Facebook and Twitter for all things commercial and industrial refrigeration!

How Supermarkets Can Cut Energy Costs

One of the best ways for supermarkets to cut energy costs is to upgrade their refrigeration systems. That's because nearly 60 percent of a grocer's electricity consumption comes from refrigeration. If your store's refrigeration equipment is outdated, an energy upgrade could save your bottom line.

Here are key upgrades that can help every supermarket cut back on energy consumption:

1. Adding doors to open cases

Open refrigeration cases waste energy by letting cool air out into the rest of your store. Retrofitting an open case for doors will help reduce refrigeration load as well as total power load.

2. Replacing fan motors

Upgrading evaporator-fan motors in walk-in units could cut energy costs significantly -- up to $100 per motor. In refrigerated display cases, the upgrade can save nearly $40 per fan.

3. Maintaining equipment

Avoiding repairs will only cost you more in the long run. Keep on top of potential issues by signing up for frequent tune-ups.

East Coast Refrigeration's maintenance program offers the following benefits for grocery stores:

• Ensure that systems are running efficiently and properly
• Early detection of potential issues before they become expensive repair
• Reduced likelihood of equipment downtime
• Lower utility costs through greater efficiency
• Ensure regular proactive service visits
• More cost-effective than annual repairs or service

Ready to learn more about how supermarkets can cut energy costs? Give East Coast Refrigeration a call today at  631-249-4556. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for even more tips!

Commercial Refrigeration & Food Poisoning Prevention

No matter what industry you're in, it's crucial that you be careful with the food you serve your customers. Food poisoning is quite frankly not something any business owner wants to deal with. Food poisoning-causing bacteria and viruses can be transmitted to customers in a number of ways. Here are some preventative tips:

• Discard of swollen or misshapen canned and vacuum-packed foods
• When cooking, bring food temperature to a minimum of 140 degrees to kill off any bacteria
• Always wash hands after handling raw meat
• Wash all fruits and vegetables before serving
• Maintain good personal hygiene 
• Keep commercial refrigeration equipment clean and sanitized
• Make sure all employees follow proper hand-washing and surface-cleaning practices
• Ensure your refrigeration equipment does not exceed 40 degrees
• Keep your commercial freezers at 0 degrees or lower
• Wipe away refrigerator spills right away avoid cross-contamination 
• When it comes to food deterioration, when in doubt, just throw it out

Is your commercial refrigeration equipment running up to par? If you're unsure, call in the experts of East Coast Refrigeration at 631-249-4556. We can do an analysis on your equipment and make recommendations to boost efficiency and improve food quality.

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