GEA Adds R717 Cascade Evaporators to Heat Pumps

German manufacturer GEA has added an ammonia (R717) cascade evaporator to two heat pumps in its Red series, called the RedGenium and RedAstrum.

Adding one of the Red heat pumps to an existing chiller could “improve system efficiency by more than 10%,” GEA said on a post on LinkedIn.

The GEA RedAstrum series has also recently been extended by three more (screw compressor) sizes, now offering seven model sizes in total.

“Our Red heat pumps are not only an economical solution, but also a giant step towards a more environmentally friendly future,” said GEA in its LinkedIn post.

The two Red heat pumps series have already been available for use in industrial application requiring process heating, or be fed into local and district heating networks.

The RedAstrum is based on GEA’s Grasso M and Grasso LT series screw compressors. The heat pumps’ seven models range in capacity from 600 to 2,900kW (171TR to 825TR), and a temperature range from 55°C to 80°C (131°F to 176°F).

The Astrum models have step-less capacity control due to the frequency converter, with a speed range from 1,500 to 3,600rpm, and features a slide system.

In addition, thanks to a broad temperature range at the low temperature (heat source) side possible between -10°C and 50°C (14°F and 176°F), the GEA RedAstrum “is able to utilize any heat source from ground and surface water, ambient heat sources, to condensation heat from refrigeration plants and waste heat from industrial processes or consumers,” GEA said on its website.

Reciprocating compressors

GEA bills the RedGenium as a compact standard ammonia heat pump capable of delivering heating up to 70°C (158°F). It is based on the latest Grasso V HP reciprocating compressor technology giving low refrigerant charges, but high efficiency, the company said on its website.

The Genium is designed for small to medium heat loads and is available in three different sizes. It has a capacity range from 500kW to 1,100kW (142.2TR to 313TR) and step-less capacity control with a frequency inverter (speed range from 500-1,500rpm).

“Between temperature levels of 10°C to 40°C (50°F to 104°F), the RedGenium can be applied with any heat source from ground and surface water, ambient heat sources, to condensation heat from refrigeration plants and waste heat from industrial processes or consumers,” GEA said.

The Genium units feature fully welded shell and plate heat exchangers with “all common liquids” supported.