ebm-papst has developed Defrost on Demand, a technology that uses operating data from EC fans to assess evaporator icing and initiate defrost cycles only when necessary. The company presented the approach at Chillventa, where it sought potential pilot users and development partners.
The technology uses the EC fan as both an air-moving component and a sensor to determine when defrosting is required. Unlike conventional systems with fixed defrost intervals, the approach aims to avoid unnecessary cycles that increase energy consumption and operating costs. Defrost on Demand has been tested under laboratory conditions and in a deep-freeze application.
In studies conducted at −18 °C (−0.4 °F), energy consumption decreased from 7.8 to 3.4 kWh per week compared with time-controlled defrosting. Instead of defrosting every seven hours, the system required only three to six cycles per week, depending on icing conditions. The results indicate potential energy savings of more than 49%. Additional pilot projects are planned to validate performance under different operating conditions.
ebm-papst is evaluating two integration approaches. One uses an EVCO cooling unit controller that manages the refrigeration cycle and integrates the functions needed for demand-based defrosting. The other involves the cloud-based NEXAIRA Gateway, which can analyze fan operating data and provide additional monitoring and analysis functions. Both approaches remain under development and pilot validation.
The technology is intended to reduce energy consumption, operating costs, and CO2e emissions by limiting unnecessary defrost cycles. Operating data analysis can also provide information about system conditions. ebm-papst is continuing development in collaboration with pilot users.
