Frascold launches NEXUS screw compressors for high-temperature heat pumps

Frascold has introduced its new NEXUS series of semi-hermetic screw compressors, developed specifically for high-temperature heat pump applications in industrial settings. The launch addresses the growing demand for alternatives to gas-fired boilers, driven by energy cost volatility and EU decarbonization policies such as the Green Deal, Fit for 55, and REPowerEU.

The NEXUS compressors are designed for air-water and water-water heat pumps used in heat-intensive sectors including drying, food processing, and chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing. These compressors support stable operation under high compression ratios and harsh thermal conditions, offering a viable solution to replace traditional boiler systems.

Key technical upgrades include high-efficiency motors designed for extreme thermal loads, extended temperature limits allowing suction temperatures up to 100°C and discharge temperatures up to 150°C, and an optimized electric plate for high-temperature resilience. Bearings have been reengineered with advanced materials to accommodate thermal expansion, while a new lubrication circuit with specialized oil maintains viscosity across a wide range of conditions. Crankcase heaters now feature up to four elements to precondition oil temperature, and the compressors are coated with a high-resistance finish rated up to 200°C.

The NEXUS series supports both HFO refrigerants such as R1233zd and hydrocarbons like butane and isopentane in water-water systems. The units operate with external inverters in the 30–60 Hz range and provide heating capacities over 1 MW, with volumetric displacements between 316 and 912 m³/h at 50 Hz and motor sizes up to 300 HP.

“The reliability of NEXUS compressors has been confirmed by a number of field applications, in particular, an in-depth test campaign conducted at the Danish Technological Institute between February 2024 and July 2025,” said Maurizio Mastrapasqua, Product Manager at Frascold. “Frascold is ready to introduce important innovations in the field of high temperatures, with future developments that will take performance to even higher levels.”