Conditioning and refrigeration

The air conditioning and refrigeration market is subject to continuous, progressive changes due to new European guidelines that require companies to develop alternative technologies and organizational processes. The main drivers of this process of change are linked:

• ► restrictive measures taken by governments to address environmental problems associated with air emissions from air conditioning and refrigeration systems, in particular to allow the reduction of the ozone layer and avoid global warming, as established by the Montreal Protocol (1987) and the Kyoto Protocol (1997)
• ► change of consumer habits, derived from the general shift towards a high standard of quality of life
• ► to the latest safety and energy saving standards

So in a market very disoriented by the imminent deadline for the divestment of HCFC refrigerants, as a result of severe environmental global emergencies (greenhouse effect and destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer), Refrigera® has set itself the objective to produce CO2-R744 ball valves for trans-critical applications up to 120 bar, until today using the same molds of cast freon brass-valve, but soldering stainless steel connections by special alloy with high silver content and using gaskets and O-ring slightly permeable to carbon dioxide (to prevent the phenomenon of explosive decompression).

From here, to the widest range of diameters already projected to DN 42 mm / 1-5/8 " and DN 54 mm / 2-1/8" Refrigera® introduces a discontinuity in the market: the new valves entirely made of stainless steel. Refrigera is the first refrigeration OEM to walk this way, as to be a leading provider of systems that are widely anticipate the replacement of refrigerants with GFP (Green Footprint) greater than zero, induced by the measures undertaken at international European - even with the gradual and exceptions that the compromises imposed by international politics.

The steel ball valves for high pressure CO2-R744, exploit an innovative project that has been maturing over time. As CO2-R744 working pressures is very much higher than the Freon one, it requires a highly refined product care; all of the components are a result of new molds that were built through careful structural calculations, and led to the most appropriate configuration for possible value for price / performance. Another particularly importance in the HP “Refrigera-Linea del Freddo” valves is the sphere, which is mounted inside the valve body, with the proven equalization channel that let the valve to discharge the system pressure inside the chamber and allow the same to reduce the torque required to move the pin.

Similarly, the check valve suitable for high pressure, that is fully machined from a steel bar, explore the search to reduce the pressure-drop through the valve, by a specially shaped poppet. The purpose is to maximize cross sections and maintain, wherever possible, the straightness of the flow vectors, by finite element optimization (through special computational fluid dynamics software) In effect Refrigera® have been extent to this type of valve its philosophy, which is synonymous with lower pressure drop and increased capacities to ensure better efficiency of the plant, even in small diameters.

In addition, through new materials market’s research, new valves (ball and check) already have the option to mount at customer's choice, connections with steel joints by welding head (butt-welding by TIG) or alloy CuFe2P with spigot and socket (for installations that do not want to abandon the simple torch with brazing filler material). The valves are tested one by one up to 170 bar, in accordance with the safety factor required by the PED.

Refrigera® Company records already a growing demand for components GREEN FOOTPRINT, particularly from the markets more sensitive to environmental issues, where the adoption of environmentally friendly products is encouraged through subsidies and tax breaks. The realization of this project will therefore penetrate the markets where it is already a strong demand for components for CO2-R744 systems, with positive impact on company turnover and export share.

Be the first to realize these products has led so far to Refrigera® to enjoy an important competitive advantage and encourage customers to adopt green products that leave an imprint on the environment, as well as having the same continuous and important feedback that helped not to overlook even the most insignificant aspect in terms of improvement.

The new projects are a new challenge to promote the usage of CO2-R744, also witnessed by the constant involvement (now as a Silver Partner) in www.R744.com website, the largest community of CO2-R744 commercial and industrial refrigeration manufacturers.