For medium-temperature applications with air-cooled systems that use synthetic refrigerant, end users “can convert them to use natural refrigerants to have a positive environmental impact,” said U.S. manufacturer Baltimore Aircoil Company (BAC), in a statement.

Supporting that conversion are BAC’s heat-rejection products for refrigeration, which include the CXVT Evaporative Condenser XE models, the Vertex Evaporative Condenser, and the TrilliumSeries Adiabatic Condenser.

“The design of these products significantly improves environmental lifetime operating impact by addressing factors such as energy usage, water and chemical usage, refrigerant impact, maintenance, and consumables,” the company said.

The TrilliumSeries Adiabatic Condenser, for example, has long been known for supporting efficient use of transcritical CO2 (R744) systems in warm climates such as Florida and Southern California. The unit “can reduce the energy consumption of a CO2-based system by 18%,” BAC said. The company showcased the unit and presented on adiabatic heat rejection at the 2023 AHR Expo.

Maintenance and energy savings are also facilitated by its products, BAC added. For example, the fans in the condensers use direct-drive electronically commutated (EC) motors that contain no gears or belts and “can run for years without needing service,” BAC said. Without belts and pulleys, friction and unit degradation are “eliminated,” reducing energy usage.

“The critical fan components stay sealed and dry with an integrated condensation management system,” the company adds in a video on its website.

The construction of the condenser units with BAC’s trademarked corrosion-resistant materials – Evertough Construction and the TriArmor Corrosion Protection System – “allows increased cycles of concentration, reducing water and chemical usage by up to 20%,” BAC said.

BAC noted that its Vertex Evaporative Condensers use 30% less operating water by volume. The company’s TrilliumSeries adiabatic condensers use even less water, ranging from 30 to 80%, based on the units’ ability to use outside air for cooling at low ambient temperatures and switching to water pre-cooling of outside air at higher temperatures.

The company’s 2021 “Environmental, Social and Governance Report” features initiatives and accomplishments “necessary to achieve [its] vision of reinventing cooling to sustain the world.”

“Developing and offering sustainable products is a cornerstone of BAC’s environmental, social, and governance commitment,” the company said.

“The design of these products significantly improves environmental lifetime operating impact by addressing factors such as energy usage, water and chemical usage, refrigerant impact, maintenance, and consumables.”

Baltimore Aircoil Company