R744 blog

In January 2011, the German environmental group DUH and the German automobile club VCD have launched Pro Climate, a campaign alerting consumers about the greenhouse gas potential of chemical refrigerants in car air-conditioning systems and the dangers the potential alternative HFC1234yf might bring. An online survey now invites people to share opinions about the daily use of their A/C.

Air-conditioning systems have become a standard feature in cars. Over 90% of new cars are equipped with A/Cs and most drivers do not understand how they work. Even less consumers know that cars' A/Cs cause higher fuel consumption and use a highly climate damaging refrigerant, namely R134a.

The German environmental group DUH and the German automobile club VCD started in January 2011 the campaign “Pro Climate: efficient car air-conditioning systems with natural refrigerants” that informs consumers about the potential use of CO2refrigerant in mobile air-conditioning as well as the environmental and health concerns related to the new substance under consideration, namely HFC1234yf.

The campaign has kicked off in January 2011 simultaneously to the entering into force of the European directive on emissions from air-conditioning systems in motor vehicles (2006/40/EC) also called the MAC Directive. In the effort to mitigate climate warming from mobile air-conditioning, this directive foresees that new types of cars must contain in their A/C units refrigerants with a global warming potential (GWP) of below 150.

LEARN MORE ABOUT REFRIGERATION IN CARS

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The leading compressor manufacturer with headquarters in Italy is continuously improving and broadening its CO2 compressor range. This week, Dorin is showcasing its latest developments at the EuroShop trade fair in Germany. With displacements from 1.1 m3/h to 26.6 m3/h, Dorin makes it possible to perfectly match all kind of applications, including convenience and hyper stores, distribution centres as well as residential and industrial heat pumps.

With an impressive 15 year track record in CO2transcritical compression technology, more than 12.000 of Dorin’s CO2 units are running smoothly today throughout Australia, Japan, China, Korea, Europe, Canada and the US. Thorough internal testing and use of the latest technology solutions ensure that Dorin continues to produce products of both high quality and reliability.

CO2 compressors for all your needs

The particularly vast product range of Dorin’s CO2units make them suitable for all kinds of applications, including the following:

Convenience stores

Superstores

Hyper stores

Distribution centres

Residential heat pumps

Commercially sized heat pumps

Industrially sized heat pumps

Dorin’s CO2 product range

CD range for trans-critical applications:The semi-hermetic reciprocating compressor range features a maximum standstill pressure of 90 100 bar and displacement from 1.10 to 26.6 m3/h.

SCC range for subcritical applications:The semi-hermetic reciprocating compressor has a maximum standstill pressure of 36 bar and is available in displacements from 2.89 to 48.8 m3/h.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DORIN CO2 PRODUCTS HERE

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With an already impressive track record and knowledge base for CO2 refrigeration solutions, the Danish specialist is continuously improving its existing technologies as well as developing new components. This brief Danfoss R744 update provides you an overview of the existing portfolio and the new products coming up, including the new CO2 ADAP KOOL pack controller, the high pressure valve CCMT and an upgraded GBC ball valve.

To meet the increasing market demand, especially within the food retail industry, Danfoss continues to develop its product portfolio for CO2 systems. Building on several years of experience the company’s main target is to meet the market needs with the highest quality products. 

New products from Danfoss coming soon

Upcoming innovative Danfoss technologies include: 

CO2 ADAP KOOL: A new CO2 ADAP KOOL pack controller that integrates more functions into one unit, giving the end user even more energy efficiency options. Among the functions: heat reclaim and oil management.

CCMT: A new high pressure valve, namely CCMT, which will serve as a supplement to the ICMTS in the low end of the ICMTS capacity range.

GBC ball valve: An upgraded GBC ball valve optimized for CO2 and high pressure.

Portfolio activities: Danfoss has more projects forthcoming in their CO2 portfolio within their core competences. More information soon on R744.com.

R744 Portfolio extract

For the food retail CO2 segment, the following key components were best-sellers last year:

ADAP KOOL and EKC: The well known ADAP KOOL and EKC electronic controllers

ICMTS: The legendary ICMTS valve for high pressure transcritical applications with MWP of 140 bar and MOPD of 90 bar

CCM valve: The CCM valve released in October 2010 for gas by-pass and expansion with MWP of 90 bar and MOPD up to 50 bar

AKVH valve: The known work horse AKVH valve for expansion with MWP up to 90 bar and MOPD of 35 bar

Safety and reliability

Danfoss, as the market leader within controls for CO2, places great emphasis on secure safety and reliability. For the food retail segment, general safety, food safety, reliability, sustainability and ease of use are among the top priorities for product development. Various quality and performance initiatives employed by Danfoss include the following:

LEARN MORE ABOUT DANFOSS NEW SYSTEMS HERE

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The German-based EHI Retail Institute has published the findings of its “Energy Management in Retailing 2010” survey, which investigates retailers’ engagement in energy-saving measures, such as heat recovery and CO2 refrigeration. German food retailers in particular are paying increasing attention to the choice of refrigerant, with all surveyed retailers having systems that use CO2.

The survey spans the entire retail industry, with the companies participating in the survey totaling sales of some €165 billion, representing about 35% of retail industry sales in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Of the total of the surveyed companies 37% are coming from food retailing, including supermarkets/hypermarkets and self-service discount department stores, with discounters that have been to date implementing CO2 technology more widely, however, having been omitted.

Nearly all surveyed retailers are exploring CO2 With supermarkets paying increasing attention to the choice of refrigerant, nearly all of the surveyed retailers reported having CO2 systems, especially freezers: 

11% of the surveyed food retailers (excluding discounters) use CO2 for their freezers, with the rest being shared between R404A (71%), R134a (5%), with the rest (13%) opting for HFC507, HC1270 or HCFC22.

4% of the surveyed food retailers (excluding discounters) use CO2 for chilling: To chill foods, CO2 has a share of 4%, R404A 49%, R134a 38%, with the rest 9% shared between HC290 and HCFC22. The survey found that there are some transcritical CO2 systems in pilot use for chilling and freezing in stores other than discounters, as the latter type is excluded from the scope of the study.

However, the report assesses that transcritical systems in German food retailing are more expensive due to lack of series production, and that widespread implementation can be seen only among discounters.

  LEARN MORE ABOUT ENERGY MANAGEMENT IN RETAILING

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The Coca-Cola Company has published its 2009/2010 Sustainability Review, profiling its efforts to grow business in sustainable ways. The report highlights that as of September 2010, the company had placed 127,191 HFC-free refrigeration units in 2010, bringing the total to more than 240,000 units placed since 2006.

The report also underlines that the company has invested more than $60 million in research and development to advance the use of climate-friendly cooling technologies.

The efforts are in line with the company’s pledge to transition to 100% HFC-free equipment for all new coolers and vending machines by the end of 2015, a move that is projected to result in emission reductions that will exceed 52.5 million metric tons over the life of the equipment, which is the equivalent of taking more than 11 million cars off the road for one year.

In addition to HFC-free refrigeration, Coke has also installed more than 3.1 million intelligent energy management devices that reduce energy consumption by monitoring energy use on its refrigeration units. 

Assessing the carbon footprint of beverages in China The 2009 Review includes information on different initiatives that the company but also its bottling partners are undertaking to address their energy and carbon footprint.

LEARN MORE ABOUT COCA COLA'S SUSTAINABLE EFFORTS AND FIGURES

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The 2011 ASHRAE Winter Conference being held in Las Vegas this week in parallel with the AHR Expo - the world’s biggest HVAC trade fair - featured presentations addressing industry and policy efforts to minimise the HVAC industry’s impact on the environment. This first article provides an overview of some of the presentations on developments in refrigerant management efforts across Japan, the US and California.

Japan: Refrigerant management system for mitigating global warming: a Japanese approach, Momoki Katakura, JSRAE  To put discussions into perspective, Mr. Momoki Katakura, President of the Japan Society of Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (JSRAE) provided the audience with a picture of refrigerant emissions. Current leakage from refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment globally accounts for 2 billion tons of CO2, which translates to an 8% share of total global CO2emissions. In Japan, HFC emissions equal 13 million tons of CO2, accounting for Japan’s 1% of total emissions, while 85% of the HFC emissions are emitted from refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment.

Refrigerant emissions are seen as a barrier to the further deployment of heat pumps, a key technology for Japan to simultaneously achieve effective use of fossil resources, energy conservation and reduced emissions. That been said, Japan has endorsed a two-sided approach to alleviate this barrier: On the one hand establish a refrigerant management programme and on the other accelerate R&D for low Global Warming Potential refrigerants and heat pumps, such as CO2 for heat pumps.

A cross industry Refrigerant Management Forum has been founded in Japan, with its activities encompassing: 

Establishing the refrigerant management system: Through 2010, several studies were carried out, with a view of field testing the refrigerant management system in 2011 in selected industries and finally implement official government regulations and the system in 2012.

Establishing the traceability of distributed refrigerants, including recordkeeping and tracing the delivery path of refrigerants using information and communication technology (ICT) devices such as the IC tag, which will be field tested in Japan this year.

Establishing refrigerant management technology, including improving anti-leakage technologies and establishing an inspection and certification system

READ MORE ABOUT THE ASHRAE WINTER CONFERENCE

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The International Copper Association is joining R744.com as a new partner to introduce a new heat exchanger coil technology that benefits from smaller diameter copper tubes. The unique MicroGroove tubes feature higher efficiency and reduce the amount of refrigerant and tube material.

By reducing the diameter of copper tubes in coils, the new MicroGroove technology can increase energy efficiency for air-conditioning and refrigeration products. The smaller diameter tubes can also operate at higher pressure, which makes them well suitable for the CO2 refrigerant. As working pressure is directly proportional to wall thickness and inversely proportional to diameter, tubes with the same thickness and smaller diameter can therefore withstand higher pressures than larger diameter.

The MicroGroove brand is supported and presented by the International Copper Association, Ltd. (ICA). Based in the US, it is the leading organization for promoting the use of copper worldwide. ICA is responsible for guiding policy, strategy and funding international initiatives and promotional activities.

Reaction “The ICA and its members are committed to aiding OEMs in the shift from larger diameter copper tubes to smaller diameter copper tubes wherever it makes sense economically and environmentally,” says Nigel Cotton, OEM Team Leader, International Copper Association.

  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THE APPLIATION RANGE AND FEATURES.

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Ahead of the upcoming European Energy Summit on 4 February 2011, CO2 commercial refrigeration specialist Carrier EMEA, along with other leading industries providing energy efficient products to the European market, have urged political leaders to strengthen Europe’s energy efficiency policy and agree upon a binding energy savings target.

In a joint letter addressed to President of the European Council, Mr. Van Rompuy, Mr. Philippe Delpech, President Carrier EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) together with representatives of 35 energy efficiency industries call for a binding 20% energy savings target by 2020 in Europe.

Binding target paramount as voluntary is failing Currently, the European Union has in place an own indicative, non-binding target of 20% energy savings target by 2020, which is almost certain to miss by a considerable margin, as the bloc is at present on track with achieving 9% by 2020.

“Current voluntary efforts are failing; a binding commitment to deliver the 20% energy savings target by 2020 is paramount to position the EU as the world leader in the shift to a sustainable, resource-efficient economy”, reads the press release issued by the group of companies.

The letter also notes that achieving the 20% target would save the equivalent of 15 Nabucco pipelines, while committing to a binding target would create the potential for 1 million jobs in Europe by 2020 and insure consumers against rising energy prices.

230 stores in Europe cut energy use with Carrier’s CO2 technology Carrier has been a leading provider of energy efficient CO2 commercial refrigeration systems in Europe.

   READ MORE ABOUT EUROPE'S ENERGY EFFICIENCY POLICY

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The US EPA has launched a portal that provides a one-stop shop for retailers to access resources on their current environmental regulatory obligations regarding refrigeration, but also resources on other sustainability issues going beyond legal requirement. The latest webinar organised by the GreenChill Partnership explored the portal’s basic structure and value added.

“At one point we were looking at 8 different places to capture all the information” when trying to answer the question “what do I need to do for facility management? What is my concern?”, noted Hava Binkley, Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc, who was invited by the GreenChill Partnership to relay her experience on using the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) newly developed ‘Retail Industry Portal’.

The new Retail Industry Portal has come to address just that: the fact that a lot of content on the various EPA websites is scattered and hard to locate by retailers.

Recognising that most retailers need environmental assistance, the EPA partnered up with industry associations such as Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and National Retail Federation (NRF) to design and build a portal that would support the retail sector, an idea that initially spawned after a representative of Walmart approached the Agency.

More specifically, the portal provides access to the many EPA programmes and resources available to help prevent and resolve environmental issues at retail establishments.

The portal structure Tracy Back, responsible in EPA for developing the portal explained during a GreenChill webinar held last week that there are two types of resources available through the website:

Compliance Resources: Help retailers meet current regulatory obligations. In addition to Federal regulations, State regulations may also apply to retailers’ business activities, and hence the portal also identifies links to State-level information where this is available.

Sustainability Resources: Help retailers voluntarily go beyond regulatory obligations to protect the environment.

  READ MORE ABOUT THE US EPA WEBSITE HERE

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With the MAC Directive’s entry into force on 1 January 2011, automakers could either not comply and continue using high global warming R134a, or use HFC-1234yf. While German media and federal agencies are not getting any quieter on the potentially deadly risks of the second, no single OEM will run the 1234yf risk in 2011, a global survey has found. Non-compliance, CO2, propane or a new substance – what will it be?

No single carmaker is going to market a vehicle using HFC-1234yf in the mobile air conditioning system in 2011. This is the result of a global survey by green group Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) among 35 automobile manufacturers. According to DUH and the German Federal Environment Agency UBA neither in Germany nor outside the EU will new models use the flammable and toxic refrigerant, Germany’s leading weekly DIE ZEIT reports in its online edition. Instead, the automotive industry now seems to play a wait-and-see game based on vague descriptions of new models to bypass the so-called MAC Directive that came into force on 1 January 2011. Directive 2006/40/EC prescribes that no refrigerant with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of more than 150 will be allowed for new models put on the EU market. Thousands of homologation processes for new models were finalised in Germany before 31 December 2010 to avoid compliance with the MAC Directive at least this year, the UBA confirms.

Automakers “panic” about which next step to take Beyond 2011 the most likely “choice” of carmakers seems to be a silent non-compliance with the EU Directive by re-filling MAC systems with R134a - having a GWP of 1420. All this to win time until 2017 when the MAC Directive bans refrigerants with a GWP of above 150 from all models. Towards media the German automobile manufacturers association VDA is not willing to comment on its strategy to violate the EU law. Insiders, however, notice “panic” spreading among carmakers worldwide. If and what consequences a non-compliance will have for OEMs selling their passenger cars in the European Union, remains to be seen over the coming months when the European Commission will be tasked to ensure a proper enforcement of the EU law.

(READ MORE ABOUT THIS CASE HERE) 

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Following Masstores recent completion of two new Makro stores using CO2, R744.com held an exclusive interview with Alan Walker, Store Development Manager for Masstores - Makro South Africa.

Mr. Walker answered questions regarding Makro’s preference for CO2, refrigerant performance in extreme temperature ranges (40 degrees Celsius in summer to around 0 degrees in winter), design and use challenges, as well as insightful technical data on the new units.

R744: Masstores has recently implemented the use of CO2 refrigeration in its new Makro store builds. What was the driving force behind the implementation of CO2 technology?

Masstores has always been acutely aware of the long-term damage caused by HFC/HCFC use. During the last eight years, by using all the most modern electronic controls, variable speed compressors, high efficiency evaporators and floating condensing we have taken traditional refrigeration systems to a high level of efficiencies.

R744: How many stores does Masstores operate currently using CO2 technology? Are there plans for continued application in either refurbishment projects or new builds?

Makro has 2 stores that are using CO2 technology at the moment. We are planning on using CO2 in our future stores. When a total refurbishment takes place, CO2 will be the preferred refrigerant.

We do not believe it is viable to refurbish an existing plant without replacing all the components associated with the system and will only change our existing systems when they have run their normal lifespan. This is especially valid if you only want to use natural refrigerants. One could obviously use some of the existing multiplex systems for the high stage, but what are you really achieving?

R744: What challenges were encountered and lessons learned from the first CO2 installation?

The main challenges were obtaining components which generally have long deliveries and not as readily available as one is lead to believe when visiting trade shows and advertising leaflets. R744: What performance differences have you observed between the old refrigeration units and the new CO2 based solutions? COP? Cost? Maintenance?

Theoretically, the plant should be in the region of 13% more efficient and this is mainly due to the excellent properties of CO2. The plants have only been running for three and a half months and will take at least a year to totally evaluate the system.

R744: Are there specific suppliers/partners you worked with on the CO2 projects?

The basic components are Bitzer compressors, Danfoss controls and Swep heat exchangers.

95% of the piping is stainless steel - which should go a long way to preventing leaks - which is normally one of the biggest disadvantages of a normal system in which copper piping is used. Our main aim will be to use 99% stainless steel when fittings etc become readily available.

We work very closely with Commercial Refrigeration Services with regards to development, design, and installation.

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE

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Building on its NewTon3000 cold storage technology, Mayekawa has provided a new purpose-built ice-rink NH3/CO2 cooling system to an “Eco Arena” located in Nagano, Japan.

Mayekawa/MYCOM is striving to provide the ultimate environmentally friendly ice arena, encompassing a low energy and environmentally friendly building and maintenance solution and refrigeration system management, while at the same time delivering an uncompromised competition-grade skating experience.

Mayekawa’s research and development engineers have partnered with local ice rink installation and management experts in Karuizawa City, Nagano, Japan, to verify the quality of the NH3/CO2 cooled “Eco Arena” ice rink under various climatic and equipment conditions.

About the NH3/CO2 system The system uses liquid CO2 as a secondary refrigerant for ice-making, which enables a drastic reduction in the power needed to pump refrigerant to the condenser tubes. This stabilises the temperature of all condenser tubes, which would not be possible using a thermosyphon system, improving the overall quality of the arena surface.

When lower ambient temperatures occur, further energy savings are possible by cooling the CO2naturally, reducing compressor use.

About Mayekawa Mayekawa MYCOM is the market leader for CO2 industrial heating and cooling installations including heat pumps. Currently, more than 25,000 MYCOM compressors are running in over 100 countries. 

FOR CONTACT INFORMATION OR TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY CLICK HERE

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From 19-21 January 2011, experts will gather in Barcelona, Spain, to discuss Smart Solutions for the Cold Chain. R744.com is official media partner and will be reporting from the event about natural refrigerant solutions in the cold chain.

The Cold Chain Smart Solutions Conference will focus on regulations, technology and processes necessary to operate a cost-effective and compliant temperature controlled supply chain. It will address the most urgent challenges of the global marketplace for the storage and distribution of temperature sensitive pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals and vaccines, packaging and shipping innovations, newest ways of distribution, greening initiatives and more. 

Conference Topics The Cold Chain Smart Solutions Conference will provide insights to the newest real-life strategies on how to mitigate risks and optimise #refrigeration costs effectively. The main focus of the conference includes: 

Understanding the difference between regulatory expectations

Ensuring product security & stability

Identifying the benefits of new shipping solutions

Solving challenges of moving towards the global cold chain

Exploiting changes in distribution channel strategies

Hearing about packaging innovations

Reengineering and innovation practices

Learning about future data management systems

Gaining insight into cold chain cost optimization & cold chain risk management

Evaluating contractual cold chain partnerships & outsourcing solutions

Discovering end-to-‘last mile’s end’ cold chain control & monitoring technologies

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONFERENCE CLICK HERE

In 2011, R744.com will be travelling to leading conferences and trade fairs around the world to bring you the latest trends in CO2 technology. Find out which events we will be reporting from and which events are not to be missed this year.

Leading events that R744.com will be reporting from

JANUARY

Cold Chain Smart Solutions, Barcelona, Spain (19 to 21 January): The event will help the industry get up to date with the latest regulations, technology and processes that are necessary to operate a cost-effective and compliant temperature controlled supply chain.

AHR Expo 2011, Las Vegas, USA (31 January to 2 February): With over 1,800 exhibiting companies and 45,000 HVACR industry professionals from over 120 countries, AHR Expo will deliver many opportunities to generate sales leads and new distribution channels, uncover new markets for products and increase industry exposure. The event is expected to reflect the growing interest in the area of CO2 commercial refrigeration.

FEBRUARY

European Cold Chain, Berlin, Germany (21 to 23 February): The 14th Edition of the "European Cold Chain" exhibition and conference, organised by ECSLA (European Cold Storage and Logistics Association) will take place for the first time in Germany and expects to attract around 130 to 160 participants from industry.

ACREX 2011, New Delhi, India (24 to 26 February): In its 12th edition, ACREX returns to New Delhi with a focus on future trends and with a promise to surpass its performance in 2010 with more than 300 exhibitors and 20,000 trade visitors.

EuroShop, Dusseldorf, Germany (26 February to 2 March): More than 100,000 specialists attended the world’s No. 1 event for retail and its partners in Düsseldorf in 2008. Occurring once every three years, the 2011 Global Retail Trade Fair will feature the latest concepts and innovations in refrigeration technology and tomorrow’s solutions for keeping food fresh. The traditional opening event of EuroShop, ‘The EuroShop Retail Design Conference’, will see world-renowned retail enterprises presenting their latest concepts and top-rank retail designers giving attendees a peek at their current projects.

MARCH

Chillventa Rossija 2011 & Climate World 2011

11th Heating, Air-Conditioning, Refrigeration & Fluid Exhibition

APRIL

China Refrigeration 2011,

MAY

10th International IEA Heat Pump Conference 2011,

  CHECK OUT THE ENTIRE LIST

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Brunel University in the UK along with 14 industrial partners, including Danfoss, Emerson and Bock, have announced an innovative energy system for retail food and manufacturing facilities that integrates CO2 and trigeneration technologies. The system has the potential to realise 30% energy savings and over 40% emission savings compared to conventional systems. Details of the system were presented at a 1-day event organised by Brunel University on 11 November 2010. UPDATE: A video modelling the system in 3D has become available.

Designed to meet the needs of medium and large size supermarkets for retrofit or new applications, the system uses the energy released by a combined heat and power system to drive a sorption (thermally driven) refrigeration system, which in turn is used in a cascade arrangement to condense CO2 refrigerant of a subcritical CO2refrigeration system. This ensures operation of the CO2 refrigeration system in the subcritical region at all times and at a constant condensing temperature, ensuring thus high energy efficiency throughout the year.

Basic elements of the system include:

Combined heat and power (CHP) module:This can be based on an internal combustion engine driven by any fuel such as natural gas, biogas, diesel, or biodiesel or micro gas turbines, with the actual selection to be based on the specific requirements of the application.

Sorption refrigeration system: This can employ any type of sorption machine (absorption: ammonia-water; lithium bromide-water or adsorption: silica gel-water), depending on the temperature of the heat available from the CHP plant and the desired condensing temperature for the CO2 refrigeration plant.

CO2 refrigeration system: The refrigeration system uses CO2 as a secondary (volatile) refrigerant for the medium temperature (MT) cabinets and direct expansion (DX) for the low temperature (LT) cabinets. This maximises the system efficiency as the compressor power for MT refrigeration - which is the predominant load in a supermarket - is replaced by a much lower pump power to pump the liquid refrigerant to the refrigerated cabinets.

COME VIEW THE VIDEO HERE

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The German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) sees necessity for an international and legally binding regulation of fluorinated greenhouse gases. In a recently published report, the UBA outlines how to get there. R744.com summarises the key conclusions.

With the report “Fluorierte Treibhausgase vermeiden - Wege zum Ausstieg” (How to avoid f-gases: pathways to a phase-out), the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) intends to clarify the environmental and climate impact of f-gases, outline available alternatives and deliver a status report for decision makers on national, European and international level. The report, published in November 2010, is a revised version of the report “Fluorinated greenhouse gases in products and processes - technological measures for climate protection” published in 2004. New findings and developments over the last 7 years have been included in this basis of evaluation in the updated report which compares the technological state of the art of the use of f-gases with legislative as well as voluntary measures by the industry to reduce carbon emissions. 

Refrigeration racks  In Europe, natural refrigerants are gaining ground in supermarket refrigeration. By 2009, several hundreds of CO2 cascade systems, around 300 CO2 direct evaporation systems, about 80 systems with ammonia, 20 with propene, and 4 with propane have been installed in supermarkets. Thanks to the decision of two discount chains to use more or even exclusively natural refrigerants in new installations, the number of such as considerably risen over the last few years. 

The first store by British retailer Booths to use natural refrigerant CO2 for all refrigeration demands opened its doors in November 2010. The store has received an interim 'excellent' rating by accreditation agency BREEAM.

The interim ‘excellent’ rating was received just a week after the store opened. It is expected that a post-construction review of the store under the scheme will confirm the final BREEAM (The Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) rating, making the store one of the few in Britain to achieve the grade.

The Booths Hesketh Bank store, near Southport, has several sustainability features including: 



Natural refrigerant CO2: This is the first Booths store to use a natural refrigerant for all refrigeration demands, replacing environmentally harmful ‘greenhouse gas’ refrigerants. According to company Wilson Mason that was commissioned to take the store design forward, the store refrigeration is supplied using carbon dioxide, while store cooling is achieved by recycling the chilled air which discharges from the refrigeration cabinets and is circulated using additional fans to distribute the air within the main store.

Waste heat recovery: Hot water and underfloor heating demands in the main retail areas are met using recovered heat from the refrigeration systems.

Doors on refrigerated cabinets: Using glass doors on refrigerated cabinets provides a 45% energy saving.

Other features include the maximum use of natural daylight, natural ventilation and the collection and use of precipitation ‘grey water’ for practices such as flushing toilets and operating washing machines

  READ MORE ABOUT CO2 STORES IN THE UK