Carbon Dioxide Systems
CO2 refrigeration systems are efficient because they have – high heat transfer capacity, efficient transcritical cycles, and lower environmental impact – which makes CO2 refrigeration systems a more sustainable and potentially more energy-efficient choice. (link to CO2 ice machine options)
Transfer heat effectively: CO2 absorbs more heat per unit, requiring less energy from the compressor.
Work well in warm climates: They can utilize waste heat for even better efficiency, especially relevant for Ireland’s sometimes warmer weather.
Have a lower environmental impact: Leaks of CO2 have a much smaller effect compared to traditional refrigerants.
Ammonia Systems
Ammonia boils and absorbs a lot of heat while requiring less circulation, making it an efficient choice for refrigeration systems.
High Latent Heat: Ammonia absorbs a significant amount of heat when changing from liquid to gas (high latent heat of vaporization). This means less ammonia needs to circulate to achieve the desired cooling effect, reducing compressor work and energy consumption.
Excellent Heat Transfer: Ammonia effectively transfers heat from the environment to the refrigerant, requiring less overall system work for the same cooling capacity.
Hydrocarbon systems
Hydrocarbon refrigerants (like propane and isobutane) contribute to efficiency in a few ways:
Lower Compression Work: Hydrocarbons have a lower pressure drop compared to traditional refrigerants during the compression cycle. This reduces the workload on the compressor, leading to less energy consumption.
Better Heat Transfer: Similar to ammonia, hydrocarbons have good heat transfer properties. They efficiently absorb heat from the environment, requiring less overall work for the system to achieve the desired cooling effect.
Reduced Leaks: Due to their larger molecule size, hydrocarbons generally leak less than some traditional refrigerants. This minimizes refrigerant loss and the need for frequent refilling, further contributing to energy efficiency.
Natural refrigerants like CO2, ammonia, and hydrocarbon systems offer the lowest emissions available, helping you achieve your sustainability goals.
| Type | Refrigerant | GWP Value |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Refrigerant | Carbon Dioxide | 1 |
| Natural Refrigerant | Ammonia | 0 |
| Natural Refrigerant Hydrocarbons | Propane (R290) Isobutane (R600a) Propylene (R1270 | 9 3 3 |
| Traditional Refrigerants HFCs | R449A R134A R407c R442A R404a | 1397 1430 1970 1888 3920 |
The global warming potential (GWP) is a value that indicates the refrigerant’s contribution to global warming
