REFRIGERANTS
of working on site. Modern modular ammonia compressor packs are now built to the highest standards of quality assurance, ensuring system integrity and significantly reducing the risk of leaks.
The availability of such high-quality factory-built modular plug-and-play ammonia systems transforms the safety of ammonia refrigeration and, in turn, its perceived user- friendliness for contractors and end users. My own company has played something of a pioneering role in this regard, with the development of the Bitzer Ammonia Compressor Pack (ACP). Its success and potential contribution to the more widespread use of ammonia was recently recognised at the ACR News Awards, where it received the Refrigeration Product of the Year accolade. Introduced last year, the range has been well received by end users and contractors in the UK, with some ground-breaking projects already successfully operating around the country.
Five systems have been installed to date here, in a variety of applications. These include a food manufacturing facility for a large high street bakery chain, a commercial ice-making plant, and a large pizza production facility. Important benefits include the pack’s
excellent part-load efficiency and resilience, with a back-up compressor in the unlikely event of a failure. Rapid installation and commissioning are made possible due to the plug-and-play design. Contractors can quickly connect up ACP units on site with a few simple pipework and electrical connections. Crucially, ACP is built in factory-controlled conditions to ensure the highest standards of manufacturing for safety and leak tightness in the field.
The packs are based on compact screw compressors, which result in a smaller footprint than equivalent-capacity reciprocating compressors. In addition to the inherent efficiency of screw compressors, the speed of the lead compressor is controlled by an integrated variable speed drive (VSD), which significantly increases part-load efficiency and enables soft-start. Efficiency can be further enhanced with the addition of an optional economiser module.
A further advantage is that screw compressors have much longer maintenance intervals than reciprocating compressors, substantially reducing the cost of ownership over the life-time of the plant.
Use of either two or three compressors per pack gives standby capacity and resilience for
critical process application where continuity of cooling is vital. It also enables engineers to service one compressor while the other remains operational, reducing process down- time and improving life-cycle cost. Compressor performance is enhanced by the incorporation of the new OAHC 3-stage horizontal oil separator, which significantly reduces oil carry over, typically within the range 2-5ppm.
For engineers, the design allows ready access to valves, sensors and connections during installation and servicing. It also comes equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity and Modbus integration.
Overall, we believe high performance, high efficiency ammonia compressor packs offer a highly attractive zero GWP solution for industrial and large commercial applications, with the added benefits of factory-controlled production for maximum safety, and modular plug-and-play design for ease and speed of installation and servicing.
It is heartening that, with a modern approach and in appropriate applications, this long-established refrigerant provides a solution to one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.
www.acr-news.com
June 2019 15
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