The pure number of booths to display CO2 refrigerant components and systems has not significantly increased from last year’s leading HVAC&R trade show. However, the showcase of breakthrough innovations, prototypes and optimised product lines in R744 compressors, heat pumps or air conditioning, as well as commercialization announcements expected for the next 12 months are all solid indicators that the US market is getting serious about R744 solutions.
With at least 10 major suppliers showcasing R744 components and systems at the AHR Expo 2013 in Dallas, held from 28-30 January, the number of booths displaying CO2-ready technology seems to not have increased noticeably. Still, the innovation levels of products on display can be seen as a signal that the US market is ready to adopt R744 heating and refrigeration systems in the next 1-2 years.
R744.com asked innovators about market progress in 2012 and expectations for 2013:
Sanden - Commercial CO2 Heat Pump Air Conditioning: The Japanese company is actively working on making its vision to introduce CO2 refrigerant-based solutions in all major applications a reality. While solutions for hot water heating, vending machines and car air conditioning are either already commercialized or market-ready, Sanden envisions the use of R744 also in residential and industrial air conditioning, as well as in freezer containers of medium and large size. At the AHR Expo’s probably most innovative booth as regards CO2 technology, Sanden displayed a concept CO2 air-conditioning system for use in convenience stores and other commercial applications. The system will have a 28 kW cooling capacity and a 32kW heating capacity, and cover an operation range of -20ºC to 43ºC. Currently developed under a government-funded research project in Japan it will use a low-cost expander technology to avoid efficiency degradation in air-conditioning while using CO2. Once the technology is introduced into the Japanese market, Sanden will also be targeting the US market where the high temperature system fits the central heating duct system normally used, as well as the European market shortly after.
The air-conditioning concept technology is based on the tried-and-tested CO2 heat pump model that is commercially available in Japan and Europe, and is now being field-tested in the USA. Once UL approval has been received and efficiency gains have been proven in the field, it will be launched on the US market very soon.
Sanden CO2 Wall Panel Heater: As a second breakthrough technology, Sanden has developed a wall panel heater to increase comfort levels while at the same time avoiding energy loss. The technology can be built into residential homes, restaurants, shower rooms, or stores. Its major advantage is that heat is emitted at the humans’ height as compared to radiators that are located near to the floor level, hence avoiding heat loss. The base technology developed is currently being optimised by investigating the influence of different wall materials, such as leather or marbel, on the efficiency of conducting heat. A market launch is expected to happen soon.
Sanden looks back at the year 2012 as one where “the seeds were planted” to establish a strong foundation, and expects this year to show first signs of growing the business in the US. The company has noticed that the acceptance of CO2 has increased, due to concerns about cost savings and environmental protection efforts.
EcoThermics / Multistack – Swash Plate CO2 Compressor for Commercial Heat Pump Water Heater: As a world-first premiere, US-based compressor manufacturer EcoThermics displayed its innovative CO2 swash plate compressor currently available in the range of 5 – 30 hp. It is built into Multistack’s new “HS Transcritical Heat Pump Water Heater” used for simultaneous hot water and chilled water production in hospitals, hotels, process cooling & heating, or military facilities. While the COP has not been officially confirmed yet by AHRI, Multistack is sure the CO2 hot water heater will be 3-4 times more efficient than comparable models using Freon. The heat-recovery chiller unit is able to take water from 60 to 180 F degrees, and to produce chilled water at 44 F degrees. EcoThermics has received strong interest from end-users and is considering an expansion of the compressor range towards larger units and residential applications. By partnering up with US-based established system manufacturer Multistack - that has 30% of its business in hot water heating – EcoThermic has taken a concrete next step to be among the first to cater for the needs of a new US market for CO2 hot water heaters.
Emerson – CO2 Semi-Hermetic Compressor line: On 27 January Emerson announced to have received Underwriters Laboratories (UL) recognition of its new line of semi-hermetic reciprocating R744 compressors. The range is currently available in 12 hp, 15 hp and 28 hp sizes, allowing it to be used in a variety of applications, such as grocery stores and supermarkets. UL approval testifies that the compressors meet global safety standards. Mitch Knapke, Market Manager for Food Retail at Emerson Climate Technology, states : “For those customers who want compressors that use a natural refrigerant, Emerson’s new line of compressors are one of only a handful of transcritical units that have received UL recognition. And because CO2 runs hotter than other refrigerants, it becomes an excellent candidate for use in heat recovery.”
Colmac Industries – CO2 Industrial Hot Water Heat Pump: Partner company of Colmac Coil, the US-based manufacturer displayed an industrial HFC-based heat pump model that will soon be launched as a CO2 refrigerant version on the US market. The hot water heater can then be used in hospitals and other large buildings.
GMCC – CO2 compressor for Hot Water Heat Pump: Chinese compressor manufacturer GMCC will be launching an R744 compressor for heat pump water heaters on the US market soon. The model currently in prototype / development stage could be available as early as next year.
Photo gallery for article parts 1 & 2:
Read Part 2 of this article
R744.com asked innovators about market progress in 2012 and expectations for 2013:
Sanden - Commercial CO2 Heat Pump Air Conditioning: The Japanese company is actively working on making its vision to introduce CO2 refrigerant-based solutions in all major applications a reality. While solutions for hot water heating, vending machines and car air conditioning are either already commercialized or market-ready, Sanden envisions the use of R744 also in residential and industrial air conditioning, as well as in freezer containers of medium and large size. At the AHR Expo’s probably most innovative booth as regards CO2 technology, Sanden displayed a concept CO2 air-conditioning system for use in convenience stores and other commercial applications. The system will have a 28 kW cooling capacity and a 32kW heating capacity, and cover an operation range of -20ºC to 43ºC. Currently developed under a government-funded research project in Japan it will use a low-cost expander technology to avoid efficiency degradation in air-conditioning while using CO2. Once the technology is introduced into the Japanese market, Sanden will also be targeting the US market where the high temperature system fits the central heating duct system normally used, as well as the European market shortly after.
The air-conditioning concept technology is based on the tried-and-tested CO2 heat pump model that is commercially available in Japan and Europe, and is now being field-tested in the USA. Once UL approval has been received and efficiency gains have been proven in the field, it will be launched on the US market very soon.
Sanden CO2 Wall Panel Heater: As a second breakthrough technology, Sanden has developed a wall panel heater to increase comfort levels while at the same time avoiding energy loss. The technology can be built into residential homes, restaurants, shower rooms, or stores. Its major advantage is that heat is emitted at the humans’ height as compared to radiators that are located near to the floor level, hence avoiding heat loss. The base technology developed is currently being optimised by investigating the influence of different wall materials, such as leather or marbel, on the efficiency of conducting heat. A market launch is expected to happen soon.
Sanden looks back at the year 2012 as one where “the seeds were planted” to establish a strong foundation, and expects this year to show first signs of growing the business in the US. The company has noticed that the acceptance of CO2 has increased, due to concerns about cost savings and environmental protection efforts.
EcoThermics / Multistack – Swash Plate CO2 Compressor for Commercial Heat Pump Water Heater: As a world-first premiere, US-based compressor manufacturer EcoThermics displayed its innovative CO2 swash plate compressor currently available in the range of 5 – 30 hp. It is built into Multistack’s new “HS Transcritical Heat Pump Water Heater” used for simultaneous hot water and chilled water production in hospitals, hotels, process cooling & heating, or military facilities. While the COP has not been officially confirmed yet by AHRI, Multistack is sure the CO2 hot water heater will be 3-4 times more efficient than comparable models using Freon. The heat-recovery chiller unit is able to take water from 60 to 180 F degrees, and to produce chilled water at 44 F degrees. EcoThermics has received strong interest from end-users and is considering an expansion of the compressor range towards larger units and residential applications. By partnering up with US-based established system manufacturer Multistack - that has 30% of its business in hot water heating – EcoThermic has taken a concrete next step to be among the first to cater for the needs of a new US market for CO2 hot water heaters.
Emerson – CO2 Semi-Hermetic Compressor line: On 27 January Emerson announced to have received Underwriters Laboratories (UL) recognition of its new line of semi-hermetic reciprocating R744 compressors. The range is currently available in 12 hp, 15 hp and 28 hp sizes, allowing it to be used in a variety of applications, such as grocery stores and supermarkets. UL approval testifies that the compressors meet global safety standards. Mitch Knapke, Market Manager for Food Retail at Emerson Climate Technology, states : “For those customers who want compressors that use a natural refrigerant, Emerson’s new line of compressors are one of only a handful of transcritical units that have received UL recognition. And because CO2 runs hotter than other refrigerants, it becomes an excellent candidate for use in heat recovery.”
Colmac Industries – CO2 Industrial Hot Water Heat Pump: Partner company of Colmac Coil, the US-based manufacturer displayed an industrial HFC-based heat pump model that will soon be launched as a CO2 refrigerant version on the US market. The hot water heater can then be used in hospitals and other large buildings.
GMCC – CO2 compressor for Hot Water Heat Pump: Chinese compressor manufacturer GMCC will be launching an R744 compressor for heat pump water heaters on the US market soon. The model currently in prototype / development stage could be available as early as next year.
Photo gallery for article parts 1 & 2:
Read Part 2 of this article
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Feb 04, 2013, 10:18
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