UK food storage company puts faith in low-charge ammonia

On 24 December, Scotland-based system manufacturer and installer Star Refrigeration announced it had installed low-charge ammonia chillers at a new cold storage site in the UK.

Two Azane (a Star brand) chillers were installed at cold storage company Gist’s new logistics depot in Chesterfield. The chillers use 90% less ammonia than traditional ammonia-based pump circulation systems. 

Star's low-charge design uses a combined evaporator/separator to achieve refrigerant volumes of as little as 0.18 kg/kW.

The ammonia chillers, with a total capacity of 1,100 kW, exceed minimum energy-efficiency requirements set by European Union’s Ecodesign Directive by 56%, according to Star. 

“Improving energy efficiency industry-wide is one of our core values, and the Azanechiller combines high efficiency, first-class safety features and low environmental impact,” said Alex Henderson, regional sales manager, Star Refrigeration, in a press release.

“With [the] worldwide phasedown of traditional refrigerants, and further environmental legislation possible, it’s important that businesses future-proof their cooling plants,” Henderson added. 

The Chesterfield project took just six weeks to complete. “Despite the tight timeframes for the installation and commissioning of the chillstore facility, Star delivered every step of the way,” said Sam de Beaux, the engineering director responsible for Gist’s UK and European site network. “We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship working with them in the future.”