Explosion Proof Compressor in Dubai | Cooling Compressors UAE
The ATEX HT Series Refrigeration Compressor provides reliable refrigerant compression for high-temperature industrial heat pumps used in potentially explosive gas environments. As an efficient Explosion Proof Compressor in Dubai, the series supports oil and gas facilities, chemical plants, petrochemical sites, refineries, industrial production areas, commercial buildings, healthcare facilities, sports centres, and central hot-water systems.
The range uses semi-hermetic reciprocating compressor technology and approved hydrocarbon refrigerants. It was developed for air-to-water and water-to-water heat pumps that require high outlet-water temperatures, efficient capacity control, and lower dependence on conventional boilers.
The full range includes 16 compressor models across four frame sizes. Available models provide approximately 32.8 to 205.8 m³/h displacement and 5.2 to 52.2 kW nominal motor power. Depending on the selected refrigerant and system design, suitable installations can produce water temperatures reaching approximately 85°C with propane, 115°C with isobutane, and 135°C with butane.
Atex Hub supplies these ATEX refrigeration compressors across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Europe, Africa, and worldwide for industrial heat pumps, process heating, high-temperature water systems, and hazardous-area HVAC projects.
What Is an ATEX HT Series Refrigeration Compressor?
The ATEX HT Series Refrigeration Compressor is a semi-hermetic piston compressor developed for industrial heat pumps that use hydrocarbon refrigerants in classified Zone 2 hazardous areas.
The compressor draws low-pressure refrigerant vapour from the evaporator. Its pistons reduce the vapour volume and increase its pressure and temperature. The hot refrigerant then enters the condenser, where it transfers thermal energy into a circulating water system.
This heated water can support industrial washing, process heating, hot-water storage, air-handling coils, drying systems, building heating, and heat-recovery applications.
The semi-hermetic construction places the electric motor and compression mechanism inside one bolted housing. This reduces the need for an external shaft seal while still allowing trained technicians to inspect, repair, and replace internal components.
The ATEX HT Series supports Category 3 gas applications, which generally correspond to Zone 2 hazardous environments. The exact marking, certificate conditions, ambient limits, gas group, and installation requirements must be confirmed for the selected model.
Key Features of the Explosion Proof Compressor
The Explosion Proof Compressor combines high-temperature performance, natural refrigerant compatibility, broad displacement options, and hazardous-area engineering.
- ATEX Zone 2 design: Suitable configurations support Category 3 gas environments.
- High-temperature heat-pump operation: Designed for demanding air-to-water and water-to-water heating duties.
- Natural hydrocarbon refrigerants: Supports approved refrigerants such as R290 propane, isobutane, and butane.
- High outlet-water temperatures: Suitable systems can reach approximately 85°C, 115°C, or 135°C, depending on the refrigerant.
- Wide displacement range: Available models cover approximately 32.8 to 205.8 m³/h.
- Broad motor range: Nominal motor power extends from approximately 5.2 to 52.2 kW.
- Four frame sizes: The range includes S, V, Z, and W frame designs.
- Four, six, or eight pistons: Different piston arrangements match varying industrial heating duties.
- Part-load operation: Properly configured systems can reduce capacity to approximately 25% of maximum output.
- Semi-hermetic construction: Supports internal servicing without an external shaft seal.
- Hydrocarbon-compatible lubrication: Special oil additives help reduce foaming, wear, and refrigerant dilution.
- High compression performance: Supports the pressure lift required for industrial hot-water production.
How the ATEX HT Compressor Works
Low-pressure refrigerant vapour enters the compressor through the suction connection. The refrigerant passes through the compressor housing and helps cool the internal electric motor.
A crankshaft moves the pistons inside their cylinders. During the suction stroke, refrigerant vapour enters each cylinder. The piston then compresses the vapour, increasing its pressure and temperature.
The discharge valves release the compressed refrigerant toward the condenser. Inside the condenser, the refrigerant transfers heat into the water circuit.
After releasing heat, the refrigerant changes into liquid and passes through an expansion device. Its pressure falls before it returns to the evaporator and begins the refrigeration cycle again.
The high compression ratio allows the complete heat-pump system to produce much hotter water than a standard comfort-cooling unit.
Applications of ATEX HT Compressors
The Hazardous Area Compressor supports industrial heating and refrigeration systems located near flammable gases, vapours, or hydrocarbon refrigerants.
- Industrial heat pumps: Provides high-pressure refrigerant flow for elevated water temperatures.
- Air-to-water heat pumps: Converts energy collected from outdoor air into useful hot water.
- Water-to-water heat pumps: Upgrades heat recovered from process water, wastewater, or ground loops.
- Oil and gas facilities: Supports utility hot water, process heating, equipment cleaning, and heat recovery.
- Chemical plants: Provides controlled heating for vessels, reactors, washing systems, and production lines.
- Petrochemical facilities: Supports process heating near hydrocarbons, solvents, and flammable substances.
- Refineries: Supplies hot water for utility systems, workshops, and process-support operations.
- Industrial drying: Provides thermal energy for drying coils and manufacturing processes.
- Food-processing plants: Supports sanitation, washing, cooking, and heat-recovery applications.
- Pharmaceutical facilities: Supplies controlled hot water for production, cleaning, and laboratory systems.
- Healthcare facilities: Supports central domestic hot-water and building-heating systems.
- Sports centres: Provides heating for swimming pools, showers, and occupied spaces.
- Shopping centres: Supports central heating and hot-water distribution networks.
- Manufacturing facilities: Recovers process heat and upgrades it for useful industrial duties.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Product Details |
|---|
| Product Type | ATEX semi-hermetic reciprocating compressor |
| Series | ATEX HT Series |
| Primary Application | High-temperature industrial heat pumps |
| Hazardous Area | Category 3 gas applications / Zone 2 |
| Refrigerant Family | Natural hydrocarbon refrigerants |
| Main Refrigerant | R290 propane |
| Other Suitable Refrigerants | Isobutane and butane |
| Volumetric Displacement | Approximately 32.8–205.8 m³/h |
| Nominal Motor Power | Approximately 5.2–52.2 kW |
| Frame Sizes | S, V, Z, and W |
| Number of Models | 16 |
| Piston Arrangement | 4, 6, or 8 pistons |
| Propane Water Temperature | Up to approximately 85°C |
| Isobutane Water Temperature | Up to approximately 115°C |
| Butane Water Temperature | Up to approximately 135°C |
| Capacity Control | Down to approximately 25%, system dependent |
| Construction | Semi-hermetic reciprocating |
| Lubrication | Hydrocarbon-compatible oil with special additives |
The exact electrical supply, pressure limits, connection sizes, oil quantity, refrigerant approval, and operating envelope vary according to the selected compressor model.
Available Compressor Frame Sizes
The range includes four compressor frame sizes to cover different industrial heating duties.
- S Frame: Approximately 32.8 to 56 m³/h displacement, 5.2 to 14.9 kW motor power, four pistons, and four available models.
- V Frame: Approximately 58.48 to 93.05 m³/h displacement, 14.9 to 23.9 kW motor power, four pistons, and four available models.
- Z Frame: Approximately 106.16 to 125.72 m³/h displacement, 26.1 to 29.8 kW motor power, six pistons, and two available models.
- W Frame: Approximately 141.5 to 205.8 m³/h displacement, 29.8 to 52.2 kW motor power, eight pistons, and four available models.
This selection allows engineers to match the compressor to the required heating capacity, refrigerant, water temperature, evaporating condition, condensing pressure, and operating hours.
High-Temperature Performance and Hydrocarbon Refrigerants
The ATEX HT Series supports industrial heat pumps that require high outlet-water temperatures. Depending on the selected refrigerant and complete system design, the compressor can support:
- Up to 85°C with R290 propane
- Up to 115°C with isobutane
- Up to 135°C with butane
These temperature levels suit industrial washing, process-tank heating, food sanitation, drying systems, textile production, hot-water storage, air-handling heating coils, and boiler-feedwater preheating.
The series uses natural hydrocarbon refrigerants, which offer very low global-warming potential and zero ozone-depletion potential. However, hydrocarbons are flammable. Therefore, the complete heat-pump system must include suitable ventilation, leak detection, pressure relief, refrigerant-charge control, and ignition-risk protection.
The final hot-water temperature depends on the refrigerant, evaporating temperature, condensing pressure, heat-exchanger design, water flow, oil temperature, and system controls. Compressor capability alone does not determine the complete system output.
Semi-Hermetic Design and Performance Features
The compressor uses a semi-hermetic reciprocating design with the motor and compression mechanism housed inside one bolted casing. This construction reduces the need for an external shaft seal while allowing qualified technicians to access internal parts for inspection and repair.
Important construction and performance features include:
- Four, six, or eight-piston configurations
- Strong housing for high compression ratios
- Replaceable valves, pistons, bearings, and motor components
- Suction-gas cooling for the internal motor
- Improved valve plates for efficient refrigerant flow
- Optimised pistons for high-pressure operation
- Compact construction with broad displacement options
- Continuous operation for industrial heat-pump duties
The compressor also uses a hydrocarbon-compatible lubricant with specialised additives. This oil helps reduce refrigerant dilution, control foaming, improve oil return, limit internal wear, and maintain lubrication at high operating temperatures.
The correct lubricant must always match the selected compressor model and approved refrigerant. An unsuitable oil may cause poor lubrication, excessive foaming, component wear, or compressor failure.
Capacity Control, Benefits and Explosion Protection
A properly configured ATEX HT system can reduce compressor output to approximately 25% of maximum capacity through variable-speed or coordinated capacity control. This allows the heat pump to respond efficiently when the heating requirement changes.
Key benefits include:
- More stable outlet-water temperature
- Fewer compressor starts and stops
- Reduced mechanical stress
- Better part-load efficiency
- Lower power demand
- Improved response to process changes
- Wide displacement range of approximately 32.8–205.8 m³/h
- High-temperature water production up to 135°C in suitable systems
- Serviceable semi-hermetic construction
- Reduced reliance on conventional boilers
The ATEX HT Series supports Category 3 gas applications associated with Zone 2. Final selection must confirm the required hazardous-area zone, gas group, temperature class, Equipment Protection Level, refrigerant, ambient temperature, voltage, ventilation, and installation conditions.
A certified compressor does not automatically make the complete heat pump ATEX certified. The full package must also address potential ignition sources from controls, pressure switches, oil heaters, solenoid valves, sensors, fans, pumps, cable glands, electrical enclosures, and hot discharge piping.
Selection, Installation and Maintenance
Correct compressor selection is essential for safe and efficient heat-pump operation.
- Calculate the heating capacity at the actual source and water temperatures.
- Select the compressor using verified performance data rather than displacement alone.
- Confirm the maximum required hot-water temperature.
- Select propane, isobutane, or butane according to the complete system design.
- Verify that the compressor certificate matches the site’s Zone 2 classification.
- Confirm the required gas group and temperature class.
- Select the correct voltage, frequency, motor winding, and control method.
- Use the approved compressor lubricant.
- Maintain stable suction superheat.
- Prevent liquid refrigerant from entering the cylinders.
- Design refrigerant piping for reliable oil return.
- Install crankcase heating where required.
- Provide discharge-temperature monitoring.
- Protect the compressor against high and low pressure.
- Install suitable hydrocarbon leak detection and ventilation.
- Use approved cables, cable glands, isolators, and junction boxes.
- Connect protective earthing and potential equalisation correctly.
- Inspect vibration, noise, motor current, oil condition, valves, and safety controls regularly.
- Permit only qualified hydrocarbon-refrigeration and hazardous-area technicians to service the system.
Certifications, Standards and Compliance
The selected compressor and complete heat-pump installation should follow applicable hazardous-area, refrigeration, electrical, and pressure-equipment requirements.
The ATEX HT compressor range supports Category 3, Zone 2 gas applications. The precise protection marking, approved accessories, certificate conditions, and installation limitations must match the selected model.
Why Choose Atex Hub for ATEX Compressors?
Atex Hub supplies ATEX refrigeration compressors for high-temperature heat pumps, process heating, industrial hot-water systems, and hazardous-area HVAC applications.
- Supplies Explosion Proof Compressors across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Europe, Africa, and worldwide.
- Provides Category 3 compressors for Zone 2 installations.
- Supports approved hydrocarbon refrigerants.
- Offers 16 models across S, V, Z, and W frame sizes.
- Supplies four-, six-, and eight-piston configurations.
- Supports air-to-water and water-to-water industrial heat pumps.
- Assists with displacement, motor, refrigerant, and lubricant selection.
- Provides protection controls, heaters, valves, sensors, and compressor accessories.
- Supports high-temperature water systems up to approximately 135°C in suitable configurations.
- Provides technical submittals and hazardous-area documentation support.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the ATEX HT Series Refrigeration Compressor?
The ATEX HT Series is a range of semi-hermetic reciprocating compressors developed for high-temperature heat pumps using hydrocarbon refrigerants.
2. Is the Explosion Proof Compressor suitable for Dubai?
Yes. The Explosion Proof Compressor in Dubai supports correctly engineered Zone 2 heat pumps for industrial and commercial heating applications.
3. Which hazardous area does the compressor support?
The series supports Category 3 gas applications, generally associated with Zone 2.
4. Which refrigerants can the compressor use?
Suitable models support approved hydrocarbon refrigerants, including propane, isobutane, and butane.
5. What displacement range is available?
The complete range covers approximately 32.8 to 205.8 m³/h.
6. What motor powers are available?
Nominal motor power ranges from approximately 5.2 to 52.2 kW.
7. How many compressor models are available?
The ATEX HT Series includes 16 models across four frame sizes.
8. What maximum water temperature can the system produce?
Suitable systems can reach approximately 85°C with propane, 115°C with isobutane, and 135°C with butane.
9. Can the compressor operate at part load?
Yes. A properly configured system can reduce compressor capacity to approximately 25% of maximum output.
10. Can Atex Hub supply compressor accessories?
Yes. Atex Hub supplies protection controls, oil-management parts, valves, heaters, sensors, electrical accessories, and replacement components.
Conclusion
The ATEX HT Series Refrigeration Compressor provides dependable compression for high-temperature industrial heat pumps operating in Zone 2 hazardous environments.
Its semi-hermetic reciprocating construction supports approved hydrocarbon refrigerants, high compression ratios, efficient capacity control, and demanding hot-water applications. The range includes 16 models, with approximately 32.8 to 205.8 m³/h displacement and 5.2 to 52.2 kW nominal motor power.
Depending on the refrigerant and full system design, suitable compressors can support water temperatures reaching 85°C with propane, 115°C with isobutane, and 135°C with butane.
For organisations seeking an efficient Explosion Proof Compressor in Dubai, the ATEX HT Series supports air-to-water heat pumps, water-to-water heat pumps, industrial hot-water production, process heating, and energy recovery.
Atex Hub supplies these ATEX compressors across Dubai, the UAE, GCC countries, Europe, Africa, and worldwide.
