To assess the market-ready natural refrigerant solutions available in North America today a review of industry opinions and leading natural refrigerant applications was undertaken and published in the first ever industry report on natural refrigerant technology. Case studies feature prominently in the publication, including on heat pump installations, such as an ammonia heat pump solution that has cut heat energy costs by over $250,000 (€205, 983).
Launched in March 2013, the “GUIDE 2013: Natural refrigerants – Market Growth for North America” reveals an ever increasing number of installations and available products, with a wide range of energy saving heat pump solutions. Emerson’s case study of an ammonia heat pump installation showcases a solution that delivers a better performance than competing technologies based on benefits from its consumed resources.
According to the Infrastructure Program Manager, “The heat pump automatically responds to varying operating conditions for the ammonia and hot water. There is very little input needed from the operators. Maintenance requirements are really no different than what is already required for existing compressors, vessels and heat exchangers. Between the boiler stack gas heat recovery and the heat pump, we no longer use the conventional hot water heaters on a daily basis.”
More efficient hot water delivery than from natural gas hot water heater
The ammonia heat pump system, installed at a major food processing facility features Vilter single screw compressors, and delivers hot water at 62.8°C using the heat extracted from refrigeration. It replaces the need to pay for natural gas to heat water for plant cleaning, whilst at the same paying for electrical energy to reject heat to the atmosphere from refrigerated spaces.
The higher pressure ammonia system installed elevates the cold water supply from 60°F (15°C) up to 145°F (63°C). It was designed to capture the refrigeration system compressor discharge gas and feed it directly into the suction of the "heat pump” compressor, where it is then compressed even further, and eventually condensed with cold water in a heat exchanger.
Since being commissioned, the plant heats 170 gallons (644 litres) of water per minute. This hot water is delivered far more efficiently than the water from their natural gas hot water heater.
The overall project results, as reported in the North American natural refrigerants GUIDE, are as follows:
- Annual operational savings of $267,407 (€205,983)
- 14,000,000 gallons (52,995,764 litres) of water saved annually
- Waste heat recovery of 7.0 MMBtuh (2.1 MW)
- 6.51 coefficient of performance (summer)
- 4.23 coefficient of performance (winter)
- Ammonia refrigerant with 0=ODP & 0=GWP
- 15% higher efficiency than comparable technologies
- Design for +20 years service without costly maintenance
About Emerson
Emerson Climate Technologies, a business segment of Emerson, is a world-leading provider of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration solutions for residential, industrial and commercial applications. The group combines best-in-class technology with proven engineering, design, distribution, educational and monitoring services to provide customised, integrated climate-control solutions for customers worldwide. The innovative solutions of Emerson Climate Technologies, which include industry-leading brands such as Copeland ScrollTM and White-RodgersTM, improve human comfort, safeguard food and protect the environment.
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Apr 23, 2013, 16:33
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