Engineering Reference Case Profile · 200-Store Retail Retrofit

200-Store Supermarket Display Case Evaporator Retrofit

A composite reference case based on representative supermarket chain retrofit programs — replacing legacy AC evaporator fans with EC equivalents across 200 stores, anti-condensation coil standard, R744 CO2 compatibility, and rolling weekly batch delivery to match store-by-store renovation schedule.

Project size: 200 stores × 12 display cases avg · 2,400 evaporator fans Reference period: Composite reference · 2024–2025 deployment pattern Geography: Asia-Pacific retail chain segment
About this case profile: This is an anonymized composite reference case based on representative LONGWELL platform deployments in the Cold Chain · Supermarket Display Case segment. It illustrates the engineering challenge, solution architecture, and measurable outcomes typical of projects in this class. Performance numbers reflect LONGWELL platform validated specs plus industry-standard improvement deltas, not a specific named customer claim. Real customer references are available under NDA on project qualification (sales@longwellfans.com).

1 · Challenge

  • Legacy AC shaded-pole evaporator fans averaging 28% wire-to-air η — typical for pre-2015 supermarket display cases.
  • Anti-condensation cycling (defrost every 4–8 hours) caused conformal-coating drift on motor electronics → 15% annual replacement rate.
  • New ErP retrofit window prompted chain to combine fan replacement with R744 CO2 transcritical refrigerant upgrade.
  • 200-store rollout cadence: 5 stores/week installation team availability.
  • −25°C continuous evaporator service + 95% RH cycling stress.

2 · Solution Architecture

Each display case retrofitted with 1–4 × LWAE3G-300-EC-Cold-Chain depending on case length. Anti-condensation heating coil engages automatically during shutdown / defrost cycle. R744 CO2 transcritical-compatible motor electronics tested against fluctuating pressure profile.

Bill of materials

LONGWELL SKUTypeQtyKey spec
LWAE3G-300-EC-Cold-ChainEC axial evaporator fan2,400 unitsØ300 mm, −40°C validated, anti-condensation heating coil standard (not optional), R744 / R290 / R1234yf compat, IP55, conformal-coated electronics

3 · Measured Outcomes

Refrigeration system COP
+24%
vs prior AC fan + R134a baseline
Evaporator fan energy
−47%
per display case
Annual replacement rate
0.6%
vs 15% on AC + standard CC
18-month system payback
Achieved
energy + replacement avoidance
Delivery cadence
5 stores/week
matched install team
Coil anti-condensation reliability
0 field events
24-month service

4 · Implementation Timeline

Week 0PO for 2,400 units
Week 1–3First batch of 300 units ships
Week 4+Rolling weekly batches of 300 units
Week 4–43200-store rollout at 5 stores/week
Week 52Full system in operation across all stores

5 · Engineering Lessons

  1. Anti-condensation heating coil standard (not as $30–$45 optional add-on) was the single biggest predictor of EC fan reliability in evaporator service. Field replacement rate dropped from 15% (AC + optional CC) to 0.6% (EC + standard CC).
  2. R744 CO2 compatibility required testing under fluctuating pressure profile (transcritical CO2 swings 30–110 bar). Standard EC fan motor electronics passed without modification.
  3. Rolling weekly batch delivery matched the chain's 5-store/week installation cadence — eliminated warehouse storage cost on the chain side.
  4. −40°C ambient validation (vs nominal −25°C operating point) provided 15°C safety margin against cold-snap conditions in northeast Asia stores.
  5. 24% refrigeration system COP improvement was 3× larger than expected from fan-only η delta alone — driven by tighter speed control reducing pull-down overshoot.

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