INNOVATION
a key problem that operators face when trying to choose more sustainable cold- side technology: cost. In an industry that operates on thin margins, replacing blast chillers, ice machines and refrigerators with more energy-effi cient equipment may be diffi cult to justify. “The blast chiller is hard to take out and it is not easy to resolve this problem,” says Hofer. “We just need blast chillers that use less energy, have good insulation and high performance. Or maybe a machine with more power that works more quickly might be more energy efficient.
“The point is that you have to make the calculation not just for the moment of acquisition of the machine but for the next fi ve years,” he adds. “The cost to refrigerate over that period is much higher for a cheaper machine, and maintenance costs are higher. As consultants, it is our job to show people they should spend more right now and get a bigger ROI. In the best- case scenario, you save money in the long term.” Sustainability has a price, but with
“THE BLAST CHILLER IS HARD TO TAKE OUT. WE JUST NEED BLAST CHILLERS THAT USE LESS ENERGY, HAVE GOOD INSULATION AND HIGH PERFORMANCE. OR MAYBE A MACHINE THAT WORKS MORE QUICKLY MIGHT BE MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT”
magnetic cooling technology works on the principle that any magnetic material will change its temperature and entropy under the influence of a magnetic field. First identified in 1881, MCE derives from the property of exotic materials – such as
gadolinium and dysprosium – that heat up when a magnetic field is applied to them and cool down when the magnetic field is removed. “I think this is going to take off
The American Panel uses HFO blowing agents in the foamed walls of its HURRiCHiLL AP20-XL (above)
106
eventually, but right now it’s going to take a lot of money on a manufacturer’s R&D team to fi gure out how to integrate that into the manufacturing process and to be able to eliminate and replace their current processes,” says Brett Daniel. Magnetic refrigeration exemplifi es
energy costs rising and regulations becoming stricter, paying more in the short term could be the most cost- effi cient solution. “For some projects, all of the
agenda is driven by regulations, otherwise the only limiting factor is an operator’s own morality or their justifi cation of the ROI based on their operation,” says Daniel. “Here, we design with the most effi cient equipment as a baseline. If there’s a tight budget constraint and we know that from the beginning, only then will we look into other lines of equipment.”
Operators need to do more than pay lip service to sustainability – for their own ROI and to meet the needs of their customers. Fortunately, equipment manufacturers understand this message and are fi rmly focused on innovation. The only thing lacking now is commitment.
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