Dry-Condensing Ammonia Chillers Have Lowest Life-Cycle Cost, Says Spanish OEM

Spanish OEM Intarcon has developed the Ammolite series of ultra-low-charge dry condensing ammonia chillers that have a lower life-cycle cost per kilowatt (kW) of cooling capacity over 30 years than do HFO chillers, R290 chillers and other types of ammonia chillers, the company said.

While pumped-ammonia evaporative condensers and chillers can have a lower life-cycle cost when only energy consumption and maintenance are considered, the Ammolite units prove cheaper when the cost of water consumption and waste handling is added, according to Javier Cano, Industrial Engineer, Commercial Manager at Intarcon.

This is a benefit that might very well increase over the coming years, when droughts and increased water prices are expected to become more common in many regions.

Intarcon has been working on the Ammolite chillers over the last couple of years, and the range now includes models from 250kW to 700kW (71 to 199TR) of medium-temperature cooling capacity. They are suitable for both medium- and low-temperature industrial applications.

The Ammolite chillers have a charge less than 65g per kW of cooling capacity, and a total of less than 25kg (55lbs) in each cooling circuit, and a Seasonal Energy Performance Ratio (SEPR) of more than 4.5.

Some of the features contributing to the performance of the Ammolite chillers are:

• Semi-hermetic screw compressors with permanent magnet motors,
• Variable speed drives,
• Electronic expansion valves that provide a very small amount of superheat at the compressor inlet,
• Variable speed electronically commutated (EC) fans with floating condensing temperature control,
• Brazed-plate stainless steel evaporators.

Intarcon presented the Ammolite chillers during the Virtual Trade Show for natural refrigerants, organized by shecco, in March 2021.