Reference case
ABB technology runs refrigeration system at Switzerland's largest bakery

Drive and motor solutions for cooling and refrigeration

Stay cool under pressure

For many companies in the food manufacturing sector, refrigeration is by far the largest energy consuming part of the manufacturing plant. It can account for up to 60 percent of the electricity bill. In addition to increased energy efficiency, we offer solutions that improve food safety and increase reliability.


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Food safety is a key

Safety is paramount in the business of producing food on a commercial scale. Anything that is not meant to be eaten must be kept strictly away from the finished product. ABB reconfigured its production process to meet the needs of a major maker of industrial freezer.

Cut refrigeration costs with ABB drives

One of the UK’s leading manufacturers of frozen foods is using ABB low harmonic variable-speed drives to cut its site load from 7 MW to 6 MW. The new refrigeration plant also reduced the number of compressors from 20 to seven.

We offer solutions for all parts of the cooling chain

Compressor
Pumps
Condenser & evaporator fans

Compressor

Save energy
Did you know that cooling compressors can represent over 50% of the factory’s total energy costs? By using a high efficiency motor and drive package, you can save up to 50% energy consumption for the full operation range. ABB has the full portfolio to cover all the needs for improving energy efficiency, including softstarters as well as the innovative Synchronous reluctance (SynRM) motor and drive package that provides energy savings according to IE4 standards.

Increase reliability
The compressor is the most important part of the cooling plant. If the compressor breaks, the consequences can be fatal for your production. ABB has all the solutions you need to increase reliability - everything from softstarters for motors running on full speed, to drives for varying your speed on the compressor. 

Have you ever thought about what would happen if your lubrication oil pumps broke down? It could be a distaster for the functioning of your whole refrigeration system, which would put your whole production at stake. 

One of the main challenges for the lubrication oil pumps is to circulate the right amount of lubrication oil in the pipe line, in order to keep the right speed of the compressor. 

We have the solutions you need to improve the reliability of your refrigeration system. The motor and drive package supervise the oil pump flow. If there is a leakage or a broken pipe, the drive lowers the speed of the compressor so that the compressor doesn’t break.

Have a look at our drives for lubrication oil pumps. 

Overcome challenges of harmonics
Harmonics cause interruptions, interference and ultimately downtime. Low harmonic drives decrease the harmonics in the network. ABB's ultra-low harmonic drives produce exceptionally low harmonic content and exceeds requirements set by low harmonic standards. Compared to a conventional drive, the harmonic content is reduced by up to 97%. The drives exceed the requirements of EN 61000-3-12 and IEEE519 and offer genuine unity power factor with no compensation needed.
Application guide
ACS580 general purpose drives for compressors

Have a look at what the ACS580 general purpose drives can do for your compressors
Application guide
Pure easiness for a wide range of applications

ACS580 and ACS480 general purpose drives
Application note
Low voltage motors for HVAC

Getting energy savings and reliability
with fans, blowers and pumps

Pumps

Improve reliability

Have you ever thought about what would happen if your cooling water pumps broke down? It could be a distaster for the functioning of your whole refrigeration system, which would put your whole production at stake.

One of the main challenges for the cooling water pumps is to circulate the right amount of cooling water in the pipe line, in order to keep the right speed of the compressor.

We have the solutions you need to improve the reliability of your refrigeration system. The motor and drive package supervise the water pump flow. If there is a leakage or a broken pipe, the drive lowers the speed of the compressor so that the compressor doesn’t break.

Have a look at our drives for cooling water pumps.
Catalog
ABB general purpose drives - ACS580
Application guide
Pure easiness for a wide range of applications

ACS580 and ACS480 general purpose drives

Condenser & evaporator fans

Improve speed control

To keep the cooling water cold enough is one of the main challenges when it comes to having a functioning compressor that ultimately keeps your products cold. We have the right solution to keep your products cold and safe. Our motor and drive package rotate the fans at the right speed by integrated controller and outside sensor.

What’s at stake when your cooling towers break down, or need maintenance? For food and beverage facilities, its more than the comfort of employees and equipment, the loss of production or the wait for and cost of replacement parts. It could mean the loss of raw ingredients used in food production. ABB’s direct drive motor cooling tower solution removes the cost, maintenance and worry associated with traditional gearbox or belted solutions. The fan couples directly to the motor and is controlled by an AC drive to provide optimal speed and cooling tower performance that runs quieter with reduced energy consumption.

Read more about our cooling tower offering.
Customer case
ABB drives save £25,000 on energy at duck processing plant

Reference cases

IMG20230328081451-1 (1)
Bala Ji Cold Storage, India
A breakthrough in the cold storage industry with ABB’s solar pump drives
OctoFrost, Sweden
When OctoFrost wanted the only colorful objects in its industrial freezers to be the food, ABB took up the challenge
McCain, UK
McCain's cuts refrigeration costs with low harmonic ABB drives
Cherry Valley Farms, UK
ABB drives save £25,000 on energy at duck processing plant
     
    

You can also benefit from our almost 50 years of experience in manufacturing drives and motors for cooling and refrigeration systems.

ABB is a world leader in the drives and motors business. We optimize your cooling plant by offering the widest selection of cooling plant solutions. From complete PLC and HMI control to energy efficient motors and variable speed drives - we have the perfect solutions for both upgrades and greenfield projects.
Motors service

Keep your production up and running 24/7 with the motors service.

Drives service

Keep your drives running with precisely planned and executed maintenance.
Partner program for motors

We have a wide network of local channel partners that can quickly respond to your needs.
Partner program for drives

ABB channel partners have in-depth knowledge of local markets and are familiar with the defined ABB products and processes.
   
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