The U.S.-based manufacturer Emerson has released a new stand-alone microprocessor-based CC200 case controller for “all loads in any type of refrigeration display case or walk-in box” applicable to retail grocery refrigeration environments with communication via a new Cold Chain Connect app.
Emerson designed the single stand-alone CC200 controller unit to handle all refrigerated caseloads, including fans, lighting, defrost heaters, liquid line solenoid valves (LLSVs), pulse width modulation (PWM) expansion valves, electronic evaporator pressure-regulating (EEPR) valves, unipolar steppers and bipolar steppers, said Emerson.
For communication with the CC200 controller, the Cold Chain Connect app provides “streamlined start-up and commissioning, troubleshooting and advanced connectivity” for users, contractors, and OEMs.
The CC200 controller offers refrigeration case lineup coordination with support for up to eight cases. Emerson reports the hardware and software have been tested for low-, medium- and dual-temperature applications. The CC200 controller’s designed algorithms provide “precise” superheat control and discharge air temperature control to support “energy savings, system reliability, food control and store health scores.”
“We basically went back to a blank slate on all of our software,” said Chris Denney, a Senior Engineer at Emerson. “Some of what we developed for the CC200 controller was a ground-up rebuild for us. We totally rethought the way we were doing it and redesigned everything to optimize the software for the electronic valves that are used in the industry today.”
Emerson states its aim with the CC200 controller was to provide “smarter case-control to advance accuracy, automation and insight.”
“The main refrigeration controller includes an auto-tuning superheat control that reduces the time needed to pinpoint ideal settings, enabling faster commissioning,” said Emerson. “The CC200 features a new algorithm for learning and automatically selects the optimal superheat setpoint for each evaporator, allowing the controller to balance all air temperatures in a refrigeration circuit close to the target setpoint — even for multi-coil display case designs,”.
Emerson also stated the CC200 controller includes an “intelligent demand defrost algorithm” to trigger defrost cycling only when required to save energy, keep case temperatures consistent and benefit product shelf life.
For OEMs, Emerson feels the new hardware design maintains compatibility with Emerson sensors to enable system upgrades, requiring fewer components in the control tray.
In addition, if plug-in expansion modules are added, the CC200 controller is designed to accommodate up to three evaporator coils per display case. A single power source operates the main controller, expansion modules and display, said Emerson.
“Expansion modules plug directly into the CC200 controller’s side expansion port connector,” said Emerson. Moreover, installation and troubleshooting are made “easier” with color-coded analog inputs and “intuitively” labeled output and valve connectors.
Viewing data in real time
The Cold Chain Connect app provides visibility of the system and control over multiple devices. Emerson feels it will simplify start-up and commissioning for OEMs. With the app on a mobile device, end users view refrigeration system data in real-time, providing operation data, parameters, graphs and the ability to override components. Emerson said this will enable service, maintenance and diagnostics for end users.
The Cold Chain Connect app also “simplifies” start-up and commissioning for OEMs, provides visibility across the entire system and enables control over multiple devices, said Emerson. Component overrides, access to parameters and relevant refrigeration system data initiate service, diagnostics and maintenance.
Emerson’s R290 Scroll Compressors
Last October, Emerson showcased its improved Copeland-branded propane (R290) scroll compressor design for heat pumps at the 2022 Chillventa trade show in Nuremberg, Germany.
At the November 2022 ATMOsphere (ATMO) Europe Summit in Brussels, Rivacold Project Manager Matteo Bettoni explained how Emerson’s propane (R290) scroll compressor supported Rivacold’s chiller to meet several refrigeration needs in a Majorca hotel.
Emerson recently announced an agreement to sell a majority stake in its refrigeration business to private equity funds managed by New York-based Blackstone.
“The CC200 features a new algorithm for learning and automatically selects the optimal superheat setpoint for each evaporator, allowing the controller to balance all air temperatures in a refrigeration circuit close to the target setpoint — even for multi-coil display case designs.”
Emerson
