Japanese OEM Shibata Welding Construction Co. debuted its new CO2 (R744) unit cooler (evaporator) at the HVAC&R Japan 2022 trade show, held from February 1-4 in Tokyo.
The unit cooler is designed to work with the company’s Naturale Series lineup of medium- and low-temperature transcritical CO2 rack systems aimed at refrigerated warehouse and distribution industry sectors.
“To date, three companies have installed a total of 10 units of the new CO2 unit cooler,” Katsunori Shibata, President of Shibata Welding Construction, told R744.com.
Shibata Welding Construction exhibited its CO2 rack systems at the last HVAC&R Japan exhibition in 2018.
This year, the company also displayed its F22 model Naturale Cold Rack transcritical CO2 system, which supplies a low-temperature range of -48°C to -25°C (-54°F to -13°F), and its Naturale CO2 chiller, which supplies chilled water at 5°C (41°F).
In addition to its CO2 systems, Shibata Welding Construction exhibited its herringbone coils, which are specialized evaporator coils used in ammonia/NH3 (R717)-based brine cooler and ice-making machines. These special coils have a complex curve shape that gives it a large heat-transfer surface area, increasing the heat exchange rate and resulting in highly efficient performance compared to other types of coils.
Shibata Welding Construction is one of only a few companies in Japan that can manufacture herringbone coils, according to Shibata.
The company also exhibited a propane (R290) ice machine from German manufacturer MAJA. Shibata said that the company is actively conducting development tests using hydrocarbons such as isobutane (R600a) in a number of applications.
To date, three companies have installed a total of 10 units of the new CO<sub>2</sub> unit coolers.
Katsunori Shibata, president of Shibata Welding Construction
Want to find out more, or have something to say about this story? Join the ATMO Connect network to meet and engage with like-minded stakeholders in the clean cooling and natural refrigerant arena.
