SUPERMARKET REFRIGERATION Can you adapt current equipment when
converting to natural substances like ammonia or do you have to invest in new freezing technology? The answer is a complete replacement. Ammonia is very corrosive and has to be encased in steel, whereas a typical commercial or industrial refrigeration system using HFC employs copper piping and heat exchanges so very little scope for conversion.
However, for large scale plants there can be significant payback after a handful of years, not to mention environmental kudos. Integrating a natural refrigerant plant with cooling systems that can reduce their emissions and power bills, is significantly more efficient than cold stores using synthetic refrigerants.
Or, the difference between driving an old car belching out pollutants because it gets you from A to B, when you have been offered a shiny new Hybrid model with twice the miles per gallon (km/l).
Busin esses faced with the reality of having to invest six-figure sums on replacement of their refrigeration plant to take ammonia should consider spending half that again on heat pumps instead of a boiler for generating heat and reducing waste streams, because the savings are
phenomenal. Again, it’s about long-term planning, really consider your strategy and approach. A heat pump is a far more eco-friendly and profitable solution than traditional heating alternatives. Industry, local authorities and homeowners have been using them for heating applications for many years – and food factories are now starting to see the significant financial and environmental benefits of using heat pumps in production processes, especially those that require the application of heat during preparation an d subsequent chilling.
Take a large-scale plant like a chicken factory or dairy and pasteurisation facility. They use an awful lot of hot water, some for processing, some for hygienic clean downs. They have to use a lot of heat, while that heat is then expelled via the refrigeration process.
To convert heat removed rather than rejecting it into the atmosphere through a condenser, put an additional compressor into the system to boost that tremendous amount of heat to a point that it becomes usable. Two megawatts of up to 35°C heat is of no use to anyon e, put an extra c ompressor in to push those temperatures to up to 60°C, 70°C or 80°C. Now the heat becomes useful, it’s got a purpose within the production process.
Savings can be made of between 60% and
80% compared to a fossil fuel boiler which is why right now it works very well for large industrial applications. It is quite a considerable investment, but in some cases, payback is quick, depending on the application and the amount of heat that can be regenera ted or recycled. We must also consider the huge reduction in CO2 emissions, typically 80% and rising as our power sources become cleaner.
Innovation from the refrigeration industry is going to drive the way forward for coolin g systems and giving more options to end users, but it comes at a price, mindsets will have to change, the ‘we’ve always done it this way’ won’t wash anymore.
We have to be prepared to spend a little bit more money but I think we’ll see more heat recovery and heat pumps in the future – I think the case will eventually be ‘why would you not have a heat pump on your refrigeration plant’. Sustain ability targets do focus minds and early intervention with your refrigeration supplier can help companies comply with the new legislation, as well as take advantage of the energy savings available through heat pump technology while on this road.
Bond
ww
www
wwwbond-
ww..bond-group com
oup..com
29
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64
