As the demand for refrigeration systems in cold storage facilities increases, packaged refrigeration units using low-charge ammonia (R717) or CO2 (R744) are evolving to become more scalable and economically viable, requiring minimum on-site labour during installation. But which refrigerant should a cold storage operator use?
Evapco, a Maryland (U.S.)-based OEM of natural refrigerant systems and components, showcased both low-charge ammonia (penthouse refrigerators and chillers) and transcritical CO2 packaged systems at the IIAR Conference and Expo, held March 12 to 15 in Long Beach, California. A longtime provider of ammonia systems, EVAPCO now sells R744via its Evapco LMP subsidiary, which it purchased a year ago.
The increasing demand for packaged systems is linked to the significant influx of investment into cold storage infrastructure, which is fueled by venture capital and real estate investments, noted Kurt Liebendorfer, Vice President of Evapco, in an interview at the conference.
Packaged units offer enhanced efficiency and cost-effectiveness, making them more appealing to a broad spectrum of end users. “Low-charge R717 and R744 transcritical systems have a common ground in cold storage facilities,” he added.
EVAPCO, Inc. is an industry-leading manufacturing company with global resources and solutions for worldwide heat transfer applications.