10 December 2024
|
Specialist training in CO₂ at BITZER’s Schaufler Academy
Compressor specialist BITZER UK is championing the use of natural and ultra-low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants as the future of sustainable cooling.
The company highlights natural refrigerants such as propane (R290), CO₂ (R744), and ammonia (R717) as essential to addressing both current environmental concerns and future regulatory challenges.
“Natural refrigerants provide a ‘safe harbour’ amidst the uncertainties surrounding synthetic refrigerants and emerging regulations,” says Kevin Glass, Managing Director of BITZER UK.
“With the revised F-Gas regulations further limiting high-GWP refrigerants and the potential for new restrictions on certain PFAS-based HFC/HFO refrigerants, it is increasingly clear that sustainable cooling will depend on natural alternatives.”
The ongoing debate over PFAS, compounds associated with certain HFCs and HFOs, poses additional challenges. While some HFOs may face fewer restrictions due to their more environmentally benign properties, the complexity and evolving nature of regulations make it challenging for end-users to commit to synthetic refrigerants in the long-term.
In the light of this, BITZER UK anticipates that major end users will follow the lead of pioneers in sectors such as food retail, and increasingly turn to natural refrigerants as reliable, proven options with a low environmental impact.
Glass added: “Natural refrigerants bring several decades of proven performance to the table. Refrigerants like propane, carbon dioxide, and ammonia have a solid track record. They come with known risks, such as flammability and high pressures, but these are well-understood and manageable with the right design and training.
“Far from being uncharted territory, we have the technology and expertise to deliver safe, efficient, and sustainable cooling systems today.”
In anticipation of these shifts, BITZER UK is expanding its training initiatives to ensure technicians and end-users are well-prepared. BITZER’s Schaufler Academy in Rottenburg, Germany, has played a key role since 2016, providing specialist instruction in the use, design and safe handling of natural refrigerants. Building on this success, BITZER UK will launch new training courses at its Milton Keynes site next year, which will include updates on technology for use with natural refrigerant-based systems.
BITZER also underscored its commitment to sustainable solutions at Chillventa 2024, showcasing several new products designed specifically for natural refrigerants:
- ECOLINE 8-Cylinder Reciprocating Compressors for Subcritical CO₂ Applications: Expanded to include 8-cylinder options, the ECOLINE series now serves industrial refrigeration systems using CO₂ with standstill pressures up to 80 bar, enhancing reliability and performance in subcritical applications.
- ECOLINE PRO, CS PRO, and ORBIT PRO Series for Propane (R290): BITZER’s wide range of propane-compatible compressors—spanning reciprocating, screw, and scroll types—offers energy-efficient and eco-friendly solutions across various applications.
- Open Drive OS.A105 Screw Compressors for Ammonia (R717): Designed for industrial refrigeration, the OS.A105 series delivers high capacities with displacement volumes of 1,400 to 2,000 m³/h at 2,900 rpm, providing robust performance tailored for ammonia systems.
Glass concluded: “With these products and initiatives, BITZER is leading the way in equipping the industry to embrace sustainable refrigerants, securing a future where environmental responsibility and industry progress go hand in hand.”
