36
Mechanical Technology — May 2013
⎪
Innovative engineering
⎪
S
amsung Electron-
ics’ latest genera-
tion smart VRF air
conditioning sys-
tem “represents a complete
transformation from its
predecessors. We’re truly
proud of the versatility the
new Samsung Digital Vari-
able Multi provides for our
consumers,” says Michael McKechnie,
business leader for Digital Air Solu-
tions at Samsung Electronics, South
Africa. “Whether in home or commercial
spaces, this air conditioning system will
revolutionise consumers’ lifestyles with
improved energy efficiency to save them
money, and, with our first-ever system
built exclusively with Samsung technol-
ogy, demonstrate how we operate as a
business.”
Previous generations of the com-
pany’s DVM system used a modulation
technology called ‘Digital Scroll tech-
nology’ to achieve variable refrigerant
flow. By separating the compressing
scrolls, the compression cycle could
be ‘loaded’ and ‘unloaded’, allowing
the compressed refrigerant volume
to be varied without changing the
compressor motor speed. The scrolls
separated in 15-second periodic cycles
to obtain a time-averaged compressor
capacity based on the ratio of loading
and unloading times, allowing the com-
pressor to achieve capacity modulation
anywhere between 10% and 100% of
full flow capacity.
The new Samsung DVM S, however,
fully embraces the electronic approach
and Dual Smart Inverter technology
replaces Digital Scroll technology. Vari-
able speed inverter drives are used to
independently control and optimise the
speed of two fixed scroll compressors
in the central outdoor unit. And, unlike
other air conditioning systems that use
a mix of fixed and inverter compres-
sors, Samsung’s DVM S contains only
inverter compressors, which helps to
improve the system’s overall efficiency.
The unit’s average European sea-
sonal energy efficiency ratio (ESEER)
rating is 4,0% higher than any simi-
larly rated system. “In addition to the
highest possible efficiency values, the
DVM S also offers the world’s largest
capacities: single units of 22 hp provide
61 kW of cooling each; and a four unit
modular system offers a massive 88 hp,
244 kW, the world’s largest VRF system
by a considerable distance,” says Rob-
ert Larkan, senior sales engineer, Digital
Air Solutions at Samsung Electronics
South Africa.
“This is third generation Samsung
DVM technology,” he continues. “The
DVM I used variable and fixed speed
compressors in separate units. The
second generation used one variable
speed compressor and one fixed speed
in a single unit, while the DVM S has
two variable speed inverter-driven com-
pressors in a single unit and both use
vapour injection technology to maximise
efficiency, resulting in savings for own-
ers and tenants every month,” he says.
Digital vapour injection (DVI) in-
volves adding cool, mid-range pres-
sure refrigerant into the compression
On 8 April, 2013, Samsung Digital Air Solutions launched its new Digital Variable Multi
(DVM S) variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air conditioning solution into the South African
market.
Peter Middleton
reports.
Michael McKechnie,
business leader for
Digital Air Solutions
at Samsung Electron-
ics, South Africa.
Samsung’s new Digital Variable Multi System (DVM S)
launched into South Africa at the Sandton Convention
Centre on 8 April.
DVM S for smart multi-zone air conditioning
process, which increases refrigerant
volume and flow rate, maximising the
enthalpy difference. This improves
cooling and heating performance and
overall efficiency.
“Core technologies for the new DVM
S are its smart compressor, smart
inverter and smart protection,” says
Larkan. On the compressor side, as well
the use of DVI technology, the asymmet-
ric scroll design reduces friction losses,
resulting in enhanced volume and hence
energy efficiency. The shaft and frame
design have been made more robust
and the oil supply has been optimised
for high speed operation. Larger oil
storage and lower net circulation per
compressor also improve reliability.
The smart inverter achieves precise
frequency control through its 0 to
280 Hz range in 0,01 Hz increments.
“The micro-fine control solution offers
much more accurate matching to the
cooling or heating demand, which gives
better comfort, along with improved
energy efficiency,” Larkan suggests. It
also enables a quick start function for
faster heating or cooling on start up. The
compressors are started simultaneously
to share the initial load, which also re-
sults in improved compressor reliability.
On the smart protection side, adap-
tive sine wave technology in the DVM S
with an intelligent filter reduces electro-
magnetic interference on the communi-
cation signal lines. “This means that it is
no longer necessary to shield the wiring
for the communication network, which
can reduce wiring costs by as much as
35%,” Larkan claims.
To cool the inverters, Samsung has
introduced a refrigerant cooling sys-
tem, ie, chilled refrigerant is used to
achieve much more effective cooling
than traditional air cooling. “Resonance
avoidance technology has also been
incorporated to prevent frequencies
from being transferred into the piping,
inducing mechanical stress,” he adds.
The maximum piping length is ex-
tended to 220 m, with an increased
height difference, allowing a single
outdoor unit to be used to control in-
