Alfa Laval expands heat exchanger portfolio introducing CB24, an efficient, low-charge propane (R290)-optimized condenser. It is designed to combine low refrigerant charge and increased heat transfer efficiency, hence lowering the carbon footprint. The model is suitable as both evaporator and condenser for heating and cooling applications, including commercial refrigeration display cases, ground source heat pumps, satellite systems for tap water, etc.
Fredrik Ekström, President for Business Unit Brazed & Fusion Bonded Heat Exchangers, Alfa Laval said, “The aim of CB24 has been to solve these challenges for some of the heating and cooling duties where the ability to use R290 will become increasingly critical. We did this by adapting some of the unique innovations Alfa Laval has developed through our long experience in these applications. This has given us a dedicated condenser that successfully accommodates the refrigerant charge limitations of working with propane, without sacrificing thermal performance.”
Patented FlexFlow plate design
The CB24 is created using Alfa Laval’s patented FlexFlow plate design technique that makes it possible to increase turbulence and optimize the pressure drop to each particular application, thereby increasing the overall heat transfer efficiency while using a lower charge.
PressureSecure design
CB24 also features Alfa Laval’s PressureSecure design. This “optimizes the relationship between thermal, mechanical and material properties to support pressure loads associated with R290,” according to the company’s website. The overall result is a robust heat exchanger, especially around the port areas.
Thermal efficiency
The new unit can reduce the number of condensers in a retail display case from three to one. with CB24 only one unit is necessary due to the increased efficiency according to Alfa Laval sources. Ekström adds, the results are equally positive for geothermal applications. We have already installed our first CB24 condensers in a GSHP system in southern Europe. With CB24, the possibility to improve thermal efficiency will also create new opportunities for energy savings for customers.
CB24 easily meets the strict regulations for some commercial refrigeration applications, which limit a propane charge to 500g, said Ekström, adding that CB24 can even fulfill the stringent requirements for GSHPs, which in Europe are limited to a refrigerant charge of just 150g.
