SUPERMARKET SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT Frost-Trol enhances eco-friendly position
One of the first companies to use R455A is Frost-Trol, a Spain- based company specialising in the design, manufacture and commercialisation of remote and plug-in refrigerated cases in the retail sector.
Frost-Trol has gained a reputation for developing environmentally-friendly solutions and tested R455A in their Lomond LT freezer island unit, with an Embraco VNEK217U compressor and Carel control. R455A (230g charge) was a drop-in in a
a key contributor to the environmental goals of wider society.
The refrigerant is also shown to offer efficiency gains of 6% or more in LT applications and above 10% for MT, along with a better COP than R404A. Critically, R455A is categorised A2L by ASHRAE, with an extremely narrow flammability range (1.1% volume in air) – much less flammable than other A2Ls.
Honeywell is initially targeting this new product at plug-in and small condensing units refrigeration applications. This is because other available options for commercial and industrial applications, which are also based on HFC/HFO blends, do not meet the F-gas restriction of use relating to hermetically-sealed units such as monoblocks and plug-ins for freezers of chillers due to their GWP higher than 150.
Moreover, the use of propane in such systems
propane-adapted unit and achieved similar capacity but higher efficiency ratings than R404A. With a GWP of 146 – more than 96% lower than R404A – R455A is subject to minimum quota and does not attract a HFC-related tax levy.
The company sees R455A as a valuable addition to its GWP<150 refrigerants portfolio as it covers medium- and low-temperature, and its A2L mildly flammable classification means lower risk of flammability, larger charges
is hindered by the restriction of charge and its highly flammable properties (A3) - leading to extra costs in manufacture, transport, installation, servicing and disposal, and increased safety risks for end users and servicing companies. Even though multiple circuit solutions are available for propane units, this adds cost to system design, build and maintenance.
By comparison, R455A is classified as mildly flammable and this reduced risk enables an increased maximum charge size to be used, opening up opportunities for OEMs to enter larger capacity markets.
A number of leading hermetic compressor manufacturers have already assessed the performance of R455A in tests over the last 18 months and have measured similar capacity and discharge temperature as R404A, but with improved efficiency. The technical properties of
and lower mitigation costs, potentially covering applications where A3-class refrigerants are limited.
“Following the main trends in the retail and supermarkets business, our technical collaboration with Honeywell in the refrigeration industry is delivering product innovation in an era when the use of sustainable refrigerants and compliance with Eco-design stringent regulations are a must,” says Javier Blanco, technical director at Frost-Trol.
R455A have also proven to be a good alternative for R410A on rotary and scroll compressors, which operate at higher pressures and need a wider temperature operating range.
Although commercial refrigeration is the primary target, Honeywell also sees potential for its innovation across various segments of the HVACR industry. For example, R455A has lower discharge temperature than any other R410A replacement and reaches high condensing temperatures of 80°C without any liquid injection. This makes it very attractive not only from a low GWP point of view but in opening up possible heat pump market penetration for specific uses such as hot water generation.
Honeywell believes that R455A has the potential to replace not only R22, R407C, R404A, and R290 but also R410A and R32 over the long term.
Ecliman looks for future-proof option
Ecliman has tested R455A in its AQUA units, which currently use R407F and R448A.
AQUA waterloop systems help
minimise charge, leaks and CO2 emissions in stores, replacing a machine room by enabling remote display cases to perform as independent coolers. Eliminating the machinery room means lowering refrigerant charge and minimising pipework, opening up greater flexibility and space in the sales area.
The AQUA range has been continuously upgraded by adding new refrigerant alternatives to the original R404A, firstly with R407F, and then with the addition of R448A, resulting in successful adoptions with retailers in a number of countries.
The company has now tested its AQUA30 unit with R455A refrigerant for low-and medium- temperature application, with a scroll Hitachi compressor. The charge is limited to only 2kg
and the solution is subject to minimum quota and is not subject to HFC-related taxes. “While we have launched the first AQUA units with R455A, testing of R455A is continuing at Ecliman. We are confident that this future-proof option can be a good solution for many stores where the use of AQUA with an A2L is safe, as the impact on environment and benefits for the retailer would be maximised,” says MD Alberto Rouco.
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