Compressor-condenser units. Types of KKU, their features and areas of application.

Compressor-condenser units (CCU) are one of the types of air cooling devices. CCU does not have a closed refrigeration circuit, and consists of a compressor and a condenser (as the name suggests). If you explain as simply as possible, this is an analogue of the outdoor unit of a conventional split air conditioner.

For full operation of the equipment, it is required to assemble a piping kit (expansion valve, solenoid valve, sight glass), which is mounted on the liquid line, and connect everything to the evaporator.

CCU can be equipped with a factory piping kit, which naturally affects the cost, and there are no piping, but then you have to select all the required elements yourself.

Most often, condensing units are used with ventilation systems, where they perform the function of cooling the air that is supplied to the room.

CCU are of several types.

CCU with water cooling of the condenser is a rarely used equipment. With undeniable advantages (compactness, takes up minimal space in the ventilation chamber and practically no limit on the length of the route to the water heat exchanger for heat release), it has a significantly higher cost. Previously, they were used when there was not enough space for a standard condensing unit (when the installation location is remote). Today, due to the fact that manufacturers of VRF systems have begun to produce connection kits for ventilation units for their equipment, which can be installed at a distance of 300 m or more, the current type of equipment is practically not used.

CCU with centrifugal fans is also a narrowly applicable equipment. This type of CCU, is used for indoor installation. An example is a residential building with 25 floors, where on the first 3 floors there are office and retail premises. In this situation, there is no way to install equipment on the facades, and the roof is far away. The equipment takes up a lot of space in the ventilation chamber, but sometimes there are no other options.

CCU with axial fans is a frequently used equipment. Ease of installation, relatively low cost and ease of maintenance make this type a leader.

And in recent years, when energy prices began to rise, more and more often they look towards CCU with the ability to work not only for cooling, but also for air heating.