CASE STUDIES
Saint-Gély Intermarché switches to R448A
I
n an effort to limit the use of high GWP fluids and to keep its customers’ refrigeration installations running, Froid Climatisation Technique (FCT), based in Velaux in Bouches- du-Rhône, France, chose to replace R-404A in existing direct expansion refrigeration production units with Solstice R448A. For this reason the Intermarché store at
Saint-Gély, on the outskirts of Montpellier, decided to entrust the conversion of its R404A based refrigeration systems to FCT. The 3,600m² store uses medium and low temperature equipment, among other things, to cover refrigeration needs for its fresh and frozen products. FCT is conscious of regulatory constraints and market developments so when it took charge of installation maintenance, it recommended its customer switched to a fluid with a lower GWP. R404A availability issues in late 2017 bolstered FCT’s determination to retrofit existing installations as soon as possible with a fluid that was easy and quick to use. Corentin Bonnec, director of the FCT agency in Vendargues, has proven expertise in retrofit
management and in the use of Solstice R448A, having carried out several conversions from R404A to R448A, and was able to reassure and guide Grégory Lopez, manager at the Intermarché store at St Gély, on the retrofit of these installations. After a study of the installation, Mr Bonnec
concluded that the conversion was feasible. He did, however, note that the exchangers were already undersized and might not be capable of optimal performance. To overcome this constraint and in order to retain the existing equipment, FCT devised and installed a misting system that is activated as soon as the outside temperature exceeds 37°C. To avoid limescale deposits on the condenser
fins and clogging of the nozzles, the misting circuit is equipped with a water softener that stabilises water hardness at seven. Guillaume Allard, FCT business manager,
planned the operation carefully over two nights (one night per plant) so that it could be carried out without any need to close the store. The cabinets did not need to be emptied and the temperature of the units was maintained
using blocks of dry ice which were put in place as soon as the store closed.
The medium temperature cooling unit with four Bitzer compressors was dealt with first. With the use of Climalife packaging equipped with dual-phase valves, push-pull recovery optimised recovery time. The circuit was then filled with R448A fluid before being restarted. The following day the low temperature
unit was converted. It also had four Bitzer compressors and the same procedure was followed. Mr Bonnec and Mr Allard confirmed that they
didn’t encounter any particular difficulty during the R448A retrofit. The settings of the installation’s Danfoss
control system were configured to suit the new fluid. Mr Bonnec explained: “The set-points were taken into account but they were based on the average temperature to compensate for the Solstice R448A ‘s glide.” Mr Bonnec concludes: “We aim to support our customers with a trustworthy, environmental process, at the best possible price and as sustainable as possible.”
www.acr-news.com
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