32 Supermarket Systems and Equipment


Economy and ecology in supermarket cooling


BRAZED PLATE heat exchangers (BPHE) are used for several heat transfer functions in refrigeration. They are critical components in systems that protect temperature-sensitive goods in a reliable and cost-efficient manner, while also minimising environmental impact. When designing BPHEs for these applications, SWEP needs to consider several aspects. High pressures are often involved requiring robust products. Synthetic refrigerants are being replaced with more climate-friendly alternatives. Heat recovery solutions are increasingly in demand for improved energy-efficiency.


SWEP products are used in refrigeration systems of all sizes and in all climatic conditions. They work as evaporators, condensers, economisers and desuperheaters in supermarkets systems, container systems and transportation. The company participated in the ACR Show Birmingham in February, to present the latest news for air conditioning and refrigeration.


“Our solutions offer low hold-up volumes to minimise critical charges, and quick response times that help lower investment and operating costs as well as valuable retail space,” says Dave Gill, sales manager for Northern Europe. “For typical low (LT) and medium temperature (MT) capacity requirements, we offer standard products that operate at up to 60 bar and have added a new product to our range that is rated to 140 bar. The fact that refrigeration can account for up to 50% of supermarket energy consumption raises demands for heat recovery to boost efficiency and help customers save money as well as the environment. Natural refrigerants are also in focus for our sustainable solutions.”


Heat transfer for a global market Working on a global market means SWEP meets varying demands. Stefano Bellada, refrigeration segment manager: “In Northern Europe, we have seen


the progressive introduction of CO2 transcritical booster systems, in both medium and low temperature applications. In other countries, hybrid systems are becoming a standard solution, with R134a normally as the refrigerant in MT, and


CO2, condensed via a cascade BPHE in LT. Pumped systems using CO2 are common in hot countries, due to the cost


savings in pipe and pump sizing and the increased efficiency. In emerging markets, supermarket systems are normally with brine chillers, with the glycol circulation ensured via a centrifugal pump. We have a wide product range that covers all these needs.”


ACR News March 2014


When it


comes to specific applications, Stefano Bellada can also see some trends. “In convenience stores, plug-in display cases are being replaced


by centralised CO2 based systems with heat recovery. Systems are also being configured with cascade heat exchangers to limit the


requirements for HFC refrigerants. The higher cooling capacity required


for supermarkets favours centralised systems with heat recovery, and they are asking for economic performance in direct as well as indirect operation. Parallel configurations are used to enable pumped CO2 systems to achieve the highest capacities. Heat recovery in high-pressure transcritical systems is also asked for.”


Climate-friendly cooling with CO2 Many synthetic refrigerants have unwanted


global warming and ozone depletion effects.


For this reason, environmental standards, legislation, consultants, and system manufacturers are increasingly favouring natural refrigerants.


During the last decade, SWEP has first of all seen an increase in the demand of new


technologies for carbon dioxide.


“CO2 is very suitable for applications such as refrigerated display cabinets,” says Stefano Bellada. “However, its physical characteristics impose tough requirements for equipment capable of operating from -50°C to 5°C at up to 53 bar. SWEP has


built up expertise in CO2 from thousands of supermarket installations, and we know how to handle these technical challenges. We also know how to keep costs low and reliability high.”


CO2 gas cooler launched at ACR Show In the area of CO2 refrigeration, SWEP has had great success with its cascade


subcritical product range, designed to meet the increased safety requirements from large parts of the market. Dave Gill, who represented SWEP at the ACR Show in Birmingham in February,


experienced great interest in the latest CO2 news which was launched at the event. “Customers are looking for solutions for


CO2, since it offers cost-effectiveness and is also climate friendly, non-toxic and non-


flammable,” says Dave Gill. “The new gas cooler B18 for transcritical booster systems provides reliable performance under extreme pressure.


“It withstands up to 140 bar, is PED and UL approved and has a compact design for easy installation. It’s a product that fits well in our CO2 portfolio.”


Stefano Bellada says product


development for CO2 will continue. “We have high environmental ambitions and will continue to further widen our offer for


CO2 applications, in terms of capacity as well as efficiency.”


Visit ACR News online at www.acr-news.com


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