The EU regulation for the reduction of fluorine-based refrigerants has led to a limitation in the use of the refrigerant R134. Almost all of the refrigerants currently used in refrigeration technology, especially in fruit storage, fall under this regulation. After the publication of the regulation, these became noticeably more expensive – others were hardly or no longer available on the open market. So anyone planning systems with coolants with higher GWP today must expect rising prices. R744, i.e. CO₂, is increasingly being used as an alternative for cooling fruit and vegetables. Reason enough to talk to Marc Koning, one of the leading suppliers of CO₂ refrigeration systems.
What are the advantages of cooling with CO₂?
"Carbon dioxide (R-744) CO₂ is a non-flammable, odorless, non-caustic and non-water-polluting, chemically stable gas. Because it occurs in nature, CO₂ is considered a natural refrigerant. The increasing popularity of R-744 is based on its many advantages:
- many times less harmful to the climate than most other refrigerants
- cost-effective, naturally occurring substance with practically unlimited availability
- high-pressure refrigerant that requires special technical components
- very high volume flow-related cooling capacity, non-flammable
- CO₂ as a refrigerant is also ideal for heat recovery."
Machine room and control cabinet
CO2 refrigeration system at the Sonntag fruit farm
And the costs of the change?
"At first glance, the investment costs for smaller systems are significantly higher than for those that use hydrofluorocarbons (HFC). However, the lower operating costs mean that cooling with CO₂ remains attractive for cost reasons, especially when the CO₂ systems can cool/freeze and heat at the same time. We have many years of experience in the field of modern CO₂ refrigeration systems in fruit and vegetable growing and have developed solutions."
What solutions do you offer?
"For example, heat exchangers are used in our refrigeration systems to improve energy efficiency because this way the waste heat from the refrigeration system can be used to heat surrounding rooms or houses, thus reducing energy waste. This means that a high-quality heat exchanger with a control system is used to utilize the residual heat for heating. This principle of heat recovery is efficient, quality-preserving, cost-saving and sustainable. The CO₂ cooling system is pre-assembled in the assembly halls in Bakel (NL) exactly according to customer requirements and on-site needs. This simplifies and accelerates the construction of customized refrigeration systems, assembly and maintenance can be carried out quickly and easily."
All just theory or do you already have practical experience?
Koning laughs: "For more than 20 years, we have specialized in the design and installation of refrigeration and freezing systems in supermarkets and fresh food stores. In other words, we cool everything that needs to be cooled in retail! Eight years ago, we started installing systems in German fruit and vegetable businesses and are finding more and more innovative growers. Quality wins! Warehouse keepers are also becoming more and more environmentally aware and are looking for sustainable cooling solutions. A very strong development."
One problem is always the maintenance of the systems because growers have too many other things to do.
"When the refrigeration system is put into operation, all technicians from our company can inspect the new system, so starting problems or operating errors are quickly resolved. Thanks to the robust construction, there will never be a complete system failure with a Koning refrigeration system. We monitor the cooling and freezing systems around the clock (24/7) via the control center."
Text: Herbert Knuppen
For more information:
Marc Koning
T: +31 492 230203;
e-mail: [email protected]
Bram Corts
T: +31 492 344 555
e-mail: [email protected]
https://www.koningkaeltetechnik.de/kundengeschichten/