Copeland Introduces Oil-Free Centrifugal Compressor Featuring Innovative Aero-lift™ Bearing Technology

Frictionless, oil-free compression technology offers efficient, robust, and reliable performance in air- and water-cooled chiller applications.

ST. LOUIS (March 13, 2024) —Copeland, a global provider of sustainable climate solutions, today announced the release of its new oil-free centrifugal compressor with frictionless Aero-lift™ bearing technology. Engineered to be a worry-free alternative to existing magnetic levitation bearing and refrigerant-lubricated ceramic compression technology, the Copeland oil-free centrifugal compressor delivers high-lift performance, reliability, and efficiency enhancements in demanding chiller applications.

This new compressor will help original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and industry stakeholders to simplify the application of oil-free compression technologies while meeting their next-generation requirements for high efficiency, system design flexibility, and compatibility with lower global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants.

Designed for mission-critical data center, health care, large chiller, and heat recovery applications, the Copeland oil-free centrifugal compressor raises the standards for air- and water-cooled chiller performance. Offering high reliability in full- and part-load conditions and an expanded operating envelope for high-ambient applications, the Copeland oil-free compressor delivers superior high-lift performance while helping the chiller industry migrate to more energy-efficient and sustainable technologies.

Groundbreaking Aero-lift bearing technology enables the compressor shaft to self-levitate and operate independently — without friction or reliance on electromagnetics, complex controls, or proximity sensors, which are required in today’s oil-free magnetic levitation bearing compressors. It delivers performance improvements during power interruptions, enabling the compressor to coast smoothly, shut down and restart rapidly to minimize application disruptions. This streamlined technological approach also eliminates the need for backup auxiliary bearings and maintains redundancy in these scenarios.