International. Frascold shared its perspectives on adopting CO2 and hydrocarbons as more sustainable alternatives to commercial and industrial refrigeration without sacrificing performance, and also highlighted some of its solutions.
Livio Calabrese, Sales Director of Frascold, commented that 2022 was characterized by cooling with a growing demand for low GWP solutions. "A trend driven by multiple factors, including international regulations, contributed to the rise of natural alternatives to the implementation of point-of-sale energy management strategies, which often include retrofitting obsolete plants with new, high-performance equipment designed with components that ensure a lower carbon footprint.
Moreover, according to ATMOsphere data, in September 2022, Europe had a total of 55,000 transcritical CO2 points of sale, in addition to the fact that this type of solutions were present to date in 18.4% of the food retail market. For its part, the industrial sector registered some 2,000 installations, with a growing demand for large plants.
Taking into account this scenario, Frascold shared its range of solutions for transcritical and subcritical CO2 systems, which promises "an efficient cold chain, starting with cold logistics".
Natural cooling solutions
In the TK family, the Z-TK stands out. A semi-hermetic piston compressor "ideal for distribution and storage centers, hypermarkets and grocery stores, capable of reaching a volumetric capacity of 38 m3/h".
According to Frascold "the Z-TK is designed to minimize losses while ensuring adequate protection and lubrication of all moving parts for continuous operation. A smooth running also achieved thanks to the reduction of the pulsations, in favor of maximum silence and reliability over time. In addition, thanks to the mechanical capacity control, it is also possible to use the component under strict electromagnetic compatibility requirements."
In this way Frascold promotes its new models of the SK3 piston compressor series for subcritical CO2 installations. As it is enhanced to offer its customers a wide operating range, the complete range also includes the S-SK3 models, "characterized by volumetric capacities ranging from 28 to 47 m3 / h".
According to the brand, the strong point of the solutions is the three-way rotating flow tap, which allows great flexibility in the design and installation of the system.
Both the Z-TK and the S-SK3 are characterized by a robust and compact design, which allows the correct handling of low pressure at standstill, regardless of weather conditions. In this sense, the first works with a standstill pressure (PSS) up to 100 bar, while the second up to 80 bar. "This ensures seamless maintenance and quick restart, without the need for active or passive systems."
Hydrocarbons and Atex
On the other hand, hydrocarbons are progressively confirmed as possible substitutes for HFCs in the GDO, "especially after the revision of the IEC 60335-2-89 safety standard"
In Frascold's words, by 2025, HC will represent 83% of the refrigeration segment in all its forms, due to their ability to not alter the climate (zero SDG and GWP less than 5), combined with their thermodynamic properties that make them comparable, or in some cases better, than synthetic options.
Frascold supports retailers with its range of ATEX piston compressors, which are certified for use in areas classified as explosion hazard.
"A family designed under the sign of reliability, which at the same time contributes to the freshness of the products in their presentation." Here is the W model, with a volumetric capacity of 228 m3/h and a 70 HP engine.
This solution "is characterized by its revolutionary RSH head, that is, a Frascold patented capacity modulation system to optimize the design of the cooling system by blocking the suction of the heads and the use of inverters".
Finally, it is worth noting that its design minimizes the space needed for its installation, which allows a wide flexibility of use.
