T-Series M4 4-Cylinder Piston Refrigeration Compressor for Marine Equipment

Product Description

The T-Series M4 is the medium four-cylinder frame in Zhejiang Brilliant's single-stage semi-hermetic piston line, and it is the frame plant designers most often specify when a vessel's hold or a shop's compressor room has outgrown a small machine. Eight models cover 34.73, 41.33, 48.5 and 56.25 m³/h of swept volume across four bore groups — 4×φ55×42, 4×φ60×42, 4×φ65×42 and 4×φ70×42 mm — with motor ratings from 6 HP (4.4 kW) to 20 HP (15 kW). It fills the gap where a small four-cylinder (S4, up to 32.48 m³/h) has run out of capacity and a large four-cylinder (L4, from 73.6 m³/h) is more plant than the installation can absorb, physically or electrically. All eight M4 models are listed on China Classification Society Certificate of Type Approval ZG24PTB00058_01.

Every bore group is offered in two temperature classes and two oil fills, so the order code carries all four decisions. Z models — BTF4VCS-6.3Z, BTF4TCS-8.3Z, BTF4PCS-10.3Z, BTF4NCS-12.3Z — are the medium-low machines used for freezing and low-side hold duty, with published capacity data down to −40 °C evaporating on R22 and −45 °C on R404A/R507A. G models — BTF4VCS-10.3G, BTF4TCS-12.3G, BTF4PCS-15.3G, BTF4NCS-20.3G — are the medium-high machines for positive-temperature storage, blast chilling and air-conditioning duty, with published data up to +12.5 °C on R22 and +7.5 °C on R404A/R507A. The oil suffix is independent of the class letter: R is the mineral-oil fill for R22/R502 duty, E the ester-oil fill for R404A/R507A duty. A full code such as BTF4PCS-15.3GE therefore reads M4 frame · 65 mm bore group · 15 HP motor · third design series · medium-high class · ester oil.

Mechanically the M4 is the same third-generation piston design as the rest of the T-Series: hardened cylinder bores for wear life, a redesigned cylinder head that reduces discharge pulsation and operating noise, a revised valve plate for higher discharge efficiency and shock resistance, redesigned main bearings for improved oiling and lower risk of shaft seizure, an overload-tolerant motor with higher efficiency, and a lighter piston with reduced clearance volume and thinner rings to cut friction loss. The frame runs forced lubrication from an oil pump, holds a 2.6 L charge, and carries a 120 W crankcase heater (220 V) on every model. Starting is through a PW part-winding motor on 380–420 V / 3 / 50 Hz (YY) or 440–480 V / 3 / 60 Hz (YY), which keeps inrush low enough for ship-service generators and small plant-room supplies. Maximum working current across the range is 16.6 to 33.2 A, and it is the same figure at both frequencies.

Capacity modulation on the four-cylinder frames is a two-step 50 % / 100 % energy-control system: one bank of cylinders is unloaded by a stop-suction principle, without hot-gas bypass, so no suction-pressure control valve is needed to make the step work. The twelve connection and service ports — suction, discharge, oil fill, oil drain, equalising, pressure and safety connections — share a common layout across the frame in three boundary-size groups: suction 28 mm (1 1/8") with discharge 22 mm (7/8"); suction 35 mm (1 3/8") with discharge 28 mm (1 1/8"); and suction 42 mm (1 5/8") with discharge 28 mm (1 1/8"). Options listed for the frame are a cylinder-head fan for physical head cooling, an electronic liquid-injection controller, a KRIWAN electronic oil-pressure-differential switch, a KRIWAN motor protection module, and temperature sensors.

Performance is published as sixteen grids — R22 and R404A/R507A, each model in its Z or G class, at condensing temperatures of 30, 40 and 50 °C — all reproduced in full in Section 2.4 below. The basis is 50 Hz with 20 °C suction-gas temperature and no liquid subcooling; at 60 Hz the capacity and power figures scale by ×1.2 while the maximum working current is unchanged. The G class is documented from +12.5 °C down to −30 °C evaporating on R22 and from +7.5 °C down to −40 °C on R404A/R507A; the Z class is documented from −5 °C down to −40 °C on R22 and −45 °C on R404A/R507A. Applications below the published corner are computed with the manufacturer's selection software rather than extrapolated from the tables, and deep-freeze duty needs the electronic liquid-injection controller.

For marine buyers the certificate is the short-list document. ZG24PTB00058_01, issued by CCS Zhejiang Branch on 29 October 2024 and valid to 28 October 2029, covers the cooling compressor (M0001) reciprocating / piston type on R507, design pressure 3.2 MPa, rated speed 1450 r/min, for domestic and ocean-going fishing vessels, tested under report XSBC-CCS-2024001, with an asbestos-free declaration. All eight M4 models appear in its model list, and the unit weights — 117 to 138 kg including oil — mean two-person handling is realistic on board without a lifting appliance. Note the scope: the certificate covers the compressor only; evaporators, condensers and control boxes supplied by others sit outside it, and the ester-oil (E) variants are what the certificate lists, so marine orders should be placed on the E suffix.

FAQ

1. What exactly is the T-Series M4?

The M4 is the medium four-cylinder frame of Zhejiang Brilliant's T-Series single-stage semi-hermetic piston line: eight models, four bore groups (4×φ55/60/65/70 mm × 42 mm stroke), displacement 34.73–56.25 m³/h, motors 6–20 HP (4.4–15 kW), weight 117–138 kg with oil.

2. Which M4 models carry the CCS type approval?

All eight: BTF4VCS-6.3ZE, BTF4TCS-8.3ZE, BTF4PCS-10.3ZE, BTF4NCS-12.3ZE (medium-low, nominal condition −31.5 / 40.5 °C) and BTF4VCS-10.3GE, BTF4TCS-12.3GE, BTF4PCS-15.3GE, BTF4NCS-20.3GE (medium-high, −6.5 / 43.5 °C). They appear on the appendix of Certificate of Type Approval ZG24PTB00058_01, issued by CCS Zhejiang Branch on 29 Oct 2024 and valid to 28 Oct 2029.

3. What is the difference between a Z model and a G model?

Z = medium-low temperature, G = medium-high. Published data: on R22 the Z models run to −40 °C evaporating and the G models from +12.5 °C down to −30 °C; on R404A/R507A the Z models are tabulated to −45 °C and the G models to −40 °C. Pick Z for freezing and fish hold work, G for positive-temperature storage and lift duty.

4. What does the last letter of the model code mean (R vs E)?

Oil fill: R = mineral oil for R22/R502; E = ester oil for R404A/R507A (and R134a, R407A/B/C). The certificate lists the ester-oil E variants.

5. Can an M4 run on 60 Hz ship supply?

Yes. The catalogue data are 50 Hz; for 60 Hz operation multiply by 1.2, and the maximum working current stays unchanged. The motor is a PW part-winding start type rated 380–420 V / 3 / 50 Hz and 440–480 V / 3 / 60 Hz.

6. Is capacity control available?

Yes, as an option: four-cylinder models have 50 % and 100 % two-step loading control, working on a stop-suction principle with no hot-gas bypass, so no suction pressure control is needed. Ordering it changes the frame outline — the catalogue prints a separate dimension drawing for the oil-pump / energy-control version.

7. How much oil does an M4 take, and what protects the oil system?

2.6 L on every model, force-lubricated by oil pump. Ports provided: 5 oil fill, 6 oil drain, 7 oil filter with magnetic plug, 8 oil return to separator, 11 oil-pressure +/− taps, 12 electronic oil-pressure switch connector, and a 120 W / 220 V crankcase heater on port 9.

8. When is an electronic liquid-injection controller required?

When the operating point falls in the orange band of the application-limit chart, labelled Electronic hydrojet controller"*. The compressor provides port 4 for the injection nozzle. Also note the catalogue's own limit: for R404A/R507A below −30 °C evaporating, confirm capacity and power input with the Brilliant selection software.

9. What is not covered by the CCS certificate?

The certificate remark states the approval covers the refrigeration compressor only — evaporators, condensers and control boxes are excluded. Vessel-side foundations, anti-vibration mountings and piping are designed by the yard to the applicable class rules.

10. How do I choose between S4, M4 and L4?

By swept volume: S4 18.05–32.48 m³/h, M4 34.73–56.25 m³/h, L4 73.6–84.5 m³/h. If your duty sits between 34 and 56 m³/h the M4 is the frame; at 117–138 kg it is still a two-person installation into a vessel machinery space.