CO2 is primarily used in cascade systems that include ammonia, in booster systems in supermarkets, and as a stand-alone refrigerant for transcritical-configured systems.
Everyone talks about what it initially costs a supermarket to switch to a 100 percent CO2 commercial refrigeration system. But start thinking about the costs that come next — on everything from electricity to regulatory compliance — and the return on investment on CO2 begins to make a great deal of sense.
So, supermarket owners want refrigeration systems that are energy efficient to hold down costs and pro-environmental for political correctness. But for engineers, contractors, and technicians that approach may not be all that easy, whether bringing a new store online or retrofitting an existing one.
Supermarket owners want refrigeration systems that are energy efficient to hold down costs and pro-environmental to portray political correctness. But, for engineers, contractors, and technicians, that approach may not be that easy when opening a new store or retrofitting an existing location.
The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) announced the first edition of the IIR guide “CO2 as a Refrigerant,” written by Dr. A.B. Pearson, an expert in the field of CO2 application. The organization said the guide highlights the use of CO2 in various sectors.
As 2015 begins, the end of new and imported HCFCs is in sight and phasedown and limits on certain HFCs seem more and more likely. So to continue to meet refrigeration needs, f-gas proponents turn to low global warming potential (GWP) HFCs and HFOs, while advocates of natural refrigerants continue to build their case.
A Canadian refrigeration company has joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) GreenChill Partnership. Carnot Refrigeration, based in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, is now one of a number of refrigeration system manufacturers to join the partnership which emphasizes the adoption of greener refrigeration practices.
The announcement a few months ago that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was proposing to decertify certain high-global warming potential (GWP) HFC refrigerants for use in a wide range of new commercial refrigeration equipment did not come as a surprise to the HVACR industry.
The following article was prepared by Parker Hannifin Corp. Micro Thermo Technologies and describes one of the approaches for use of CO2 in transcritical systems for refrigeration.
The HVACR industry is always exploring new options that may lead to more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly refrigerants to keep facilities — and the people and technology in them — comfortably cool.