New tech: Oil-free compressor

The companies presented their joint research and development project at Chillventa 2026 in Nuremberg, Germany. It combines the new Danfoss Turbocor® TNS385 compressor with a dedicated ENGIE Refrigeration chiller prototype. The goal is an energy-efficient comfort-cooling chiller for large buildings.

The new platform uses the Danfoss oil-free magnetic bearing compressor technology and ENGIE Refrigeration’s chiller design with utilises R600a (a non-fluorinated hydrocarbon refrigerant).

R600a is natural, isobutane refrigerant that is becoming increasingly popular due to its extremely low Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 3. But as a flammable refrigerant, R600a requires specific considerations around safety at system level. Danfoss has integrated safety into the compressor and ENGIE Refrigeration has also designed the chiller to initiate automatic protective measures and safe shutdown sequences.

Divisional President at Danfoss Commercial Compressors, Fabio Klein, says developing technologies for new refrigerant applications requires close collaboration at system level.

“Working with ENGIE Refrigeration allows us to bring compressor and chiller expertise together early in the development process and evaluate performance, integration and safety requirements before commercial introduction,” he says.

Both the TNS385 and the ENGIE Refrigeration chiller platform remain under development and are not yet commercially available. The two companies are collaborating to test the compressor in a specially developed refrigeration prototype.

Danfoss plans a controlled release of the TNS385 during 2027, subject to successful completion of the remaining validation and qualification activities.

ENGIE Refrigeration CEO Jochen Hornung says he hopes the collaboration will lay the foundation for solutions that align with current and upcoming regulatory requirements.

Feature image courtesy of Danfoss.

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