• ATMOspere Europe to FeatureCO2 Case Studies

    Aug. 29, 2011
    October 12 program will include presentations by researchers from Carrier Transicold and Johnson Controls.

    Officials of the ATMOsphere Europe 2011 trade show have announced presentations for the Technology Case Study Sessions at ATMOsphere Europe 2011. The first five presentations have been announced, with five more to be announced the week of Sept. 4.

    Georges Khoury, SANDEN Manufacturing Europe: Development of a high efficiency CO2 Heat Pump for domestic hot water use in Europe. Based on the heat pump technology using the natural refrigerant CO2 and a large study of the market requirements, an innovative eco-design process has been carried out. Heat pump prototypes have been built and optimised and tested in the lab and in long-term field tests in 12 family homes. Concrete results show its economical and environmental advantages compared to conventional systems. Analysis of operating parameters from real life usage combined with installers and users feedback allowed us to identify areas for improvement.

    Martin Graz, Gunnar Busse, Obrist Engineering: New safety system for HC in Mobile Air Conditioning. The case study analyzes whether hydrocarbons are an option for mobile air-conditioning if a safety system for fire prevention is integrated. The points of discussion include:
    — Efficiency advantages vs. system modifications
    — Charge amount reduction options
    — Impact of an additional safety system
    — Further measures.

    Carrier Transicold: Efficient and sustainable container refrigeration applications using CO2. This case study will explore how Carrier has successfully developed and trialed a CO2 refrigerant container unit. The challenge for the transport refrigeration industry is to create a system that meets the energy consumption levels of today’s efficient HFC machines. In order for CO2 to work as a viable refrigerant today, where energy efficiency, cooling capacity, power consumption, and quick pull down are necessary starting points, components and systems that can better control capacity and temperature using CO2 should be developed. To be successful, container refrigeration equipment manufacturers must work to combine the best of these components into a carefully designed system. The goal of these new systems should be to achieve a GWP equal to one, minimize environmental impact from materials used, and improve energy efficiency at the same time.

    Alexander Cohr Pachai, Johnson Controls: R290 chillers and R600a heat pumps replacing a R22 system in a hospital. The case study presents findings of a project for the Åarhus University Hospital, Skejby where the first hydrocarbon chillers were installed in the in 2003. As the hospital has been expanding over time, new R290 units have subsequently been added. The latest installation in November 2010 also included two heat pumps based on iso-butane (R-600a). In addition to the 9 chillers, special application chillers have been working at different temperature levels. In total, 15 chillers are currently operating on site. All systems were supplied by Johnson Controls. The chillers were installed in a separate courtyard with no access for the public and unauthorised personnel.

    Klaas Visser, KAV Consulting: The world’s first two stage CO2 transcritical refrigeration system at a food processing plant. The suggested case study deals with a world first two-stage CO2 transcritical refrigeration plant project. The new two stage transcritical CO2 refrigeration plant replaces independent cooling and heating systems comprising air cooled single stage HCFC and HFC condensing units for one blast freezer, one cold store, two chillers, one process chilled water chiller and four reverse cycle AC units, six R134a air to water heat pumps, three gas fired water heaters and two sets of electric under floor and door heaters for the existing blast freezer and cold store, a total of 22 independent systems. The project was supported financially by the Australian Government’s Federal Department of Industry to the tune of 50% under the government’s “Retrofitting for Climate Change” program.