ASHRAE Journal - February 2009 - 8

Its EFC systems are mounted on the compressor, set for imNatural refrigerants have been used in refrigeration since the mediate connection and wired. The device is controlled via a mid-19th century, mostly in food production and storage. CO2, pressure sensor arranged on the intake side. The control range for example, was widely used more than 100 years ago, but then can be adjusted on an individual basis. The EFCe systems are largely forgotten. Now, CO2 is widely used in Europe, mostly also optimally adjusted to the compressor at the factory and in systems as a “secondary refrigerant,” such as for baked good preprogrammed with the necessary control settings. Due to chillers, frozen-food warehouses and skating rinks. In Scanditheir size, however, they are not directly on the compressor but navia and Luxembourg, CO2 is often found in the refrigeration are instead intended to be set up individually. systems of supermarkets. The device is controlled via a pressure sensor arranged on the CO2 cooling also can be an effective solution for data centers intake side or via an external control signal. The control range and mission critical facilities, said Rob Lamb, sales director can be adjusted on an individual basis. The device is designed for Star Refrigeration in Glasgow, speaking at a Chillventa for mounting on the wall or switch cabinet. Due to their oil session organized by eurammon, a joint European initiative pump lubrication, Bock says all of its compressors are ideal of companies, institutions and individuals who advocate an for speed regulation, especially at low frequencies, creating increased use of natural refrigerants. Lamb described what he its capability to reduce energy consumption. Frequency con- was said was the world’s first CO2 data center solution. The trol minimizes idle time and smooths out power fluctuations. system cools blade servers with an air circulation system with This reduces electricity costs and a maximum heat load of 30 kW extends service life by improving per unit. “There is no water in running properties. the computer suite, the system Bock has one of the broadest requires less floor space, and it offerings of compressors that provides more processing power use carbon dioxide (CO2) as a per square foot,” Lamb said. “The refrigerant. In the area of sub25% higher first cost compared to critical compressors for operating water chillers is paid back in only pressures to 40 bar (4000 kPa), two or three years.” Bock has added four levels of With refrigerant applications displacement to its range at 40, in a period of flux, the Dehon Group announced the launch of 50, 110 and 555 cm2 (6, 8, 17, 86 its Climalife Web site (www. in.2). The range for the HG(HA)2 climalife.dehon.com) to guide CO2 T transcritical compressor has been extended by levels of Attendees at German trade fairs come for the “face installers and end users in recydisplacement of 90 and 130 cm2 to face contact.” Those visiting the stands of both cling, packaging, and refrigerant small and large companies are met by technical as consumption. One of the site’s ob(14 and 20 in.2). jectives is to eliminate confusion Bock also displayed its ATEX well as marketing staff. as each European country enacts compressors for operation with combustible refrigerants. To date, nonhalogenated combustible EU regulations with differing national requirements. “We want hydrocarbons, such as butane (R-600/R-600a) or propane (R- to help the French contractor who has to do an installation in 290), have only been used in niche applications. In Germany, Germany, for example,” a company official said. Shifting from the political climate to the interior one, Chillfor example, refrigerators and freezers with filling quantities of 50 to 150 g are now almost exclusively run on nonhalogenated venta visitors flocked to the Industrial Heat Pump Village hydrocarbons. Larger units have been built, but only rarely due section of the fair. There was little wonder. Of the more than to measures needed to guard against explosions. Among other 150 million dwelling units in Europe, 30% were built before reasons, this situation has stemmed from the lack of explosion- 1940 and 45% between 1950 and 1980, creating a huge market protected components available. for the replacement of fossil fuel-based heating equipment. Thomas Hagenlocher, the Bock sales manager responsible “Growing demand for heat pumps in the power range from for stationary applications, says this is changing. “As well as 100 to 1,000 kW made exhibiting at Chillventa a must,” said conventional deployment in potentially explosive environments, Karl Ochsner, managing director of Austria’s OCHSNER such as procedural systems in the chemical or petrochemical Wärmepumpen. industries, our ATEX compressors are now increasingly used “Retrofitting existing buildings is a future growth market with combustible refrigerants.” with enormous potential for domestic heat pumps as well as With Europe’s ban on use of new HCFCs less than a year industrial heat pumps in office buildings, schools, hospitals, away, interest by engineers and plant operators in natural refrig- and the manufacturing industry,” said Karl-Heinz Stawiarski erants was not lost on exhibitors. Backers of natural refriger- from the German Heat Pump Association. “In Germany, up to ants promote that they are carbon-neutral, energy-efficient and 75% of dwellings have to renew their fossil fuel-based heating available inexpensively in large amounts. equipment in the next few years.” According to Stawiarski, 8 ASHRAE Journal ashrae.org February 2009

ASHRAE Journal - February 2009

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