Sustainable and efficient dairy cooling with an NH₃ open-drive screw compressor at its heart
In the heart of northern Italy, a historic Italian company in the dairy sector has recently completed a cutting-edge project to optimise its processing and refrigeration systems. The project involved the installation of a high-efficiency ammonia compressor system, developed to meet the site’s demanding cooling requirements, with a focus on environmental sustainability, energy savings and long-term operational reliability.
The project involved the collaboration of:
// Zudek S.r.l. as the OEM and system developer
// A renowned Italian dairy company as the end customer
Strategic objectives and project specifications
The initiative was designed to:
- significantly reduce energy consumption
- minimise environmental impact through the use of natural refrigerants
- ensure high and consistent performance over time
The chosen refrigerant is ammonia (R717), a natural solution with zero GWP and ODP, fully compliant with the latest European environmental regulations.
BITZER technology at the core of the system
At the heart of the highly efficient refrigeration system is an open-drive ammonia screw compressor from the OS.A105 series (model: OSKA10593-K) from BITZER with a displacement of 2000 m³/h at 50 Hz. It operates within a temperature range of –10°C to +35°C, ideal for process cooling.
The installed system delivers outstanding performance as:
- cooling capacity 1630 kW (reference values: tO = –10°C/tc = 35°C).
- COP (coefficient of performance) 3.94 under design conditions
- annual energy savings over 700 MWh
Significant technical features are:
- inverter control to optimise performance under all operating conditions
- integrated automatic Vi regulation system
- oil cooling without the use of an auxiliary pump, for greater energy efficiency
- ‘bell-housing’ integration between the compressor and electric motor, ensuring a simple, reliable and effective connection
An example of industrial sustainability
This project represents an example of how industrial refrigeration can evolve towards more sustainable solutions without compromising performance. The use of BITZER compressors in high-efficiency ammonia systems demonstrates that it is possible to combine technological innovation, environmental responsibility and operational cost optimisation.
BITZER Italia is the first European sales subsidiary to supply the OS.A105 series. This milestone reflects the close collaboration between Zudek and BITZER, founded on a long-standing strategic partnership focused on innovation.
