Building on the success of its NewTon series, cumulative sales of which have reached over 850 units to date, Mayekawa is now ready to further upgrade the technology. While maintaining high energy efficiency – considered one of the New Ton’s biggest strengths – the new models offer minimised refrigerant charge and improved maintenance in a bid to ease any potential anxiety users may have regarding the everyday operation of the system.
They are also smaller in size and weight to help reduce the impact of facility renovation, which is expected to increase as Japan’s 2020 deadline for completely phasing out of ozone-depleting HCFCs under the Montreal Protocol draws nearer.
Constant improvement of NewTon technology since 2007
The first NH3/CO2 cascade system for cold storage – the NewTon3000 – was developed and commercialised by Mayekawa in 2007, and placed on the market in 2008. To meet constantly changing demand, the company committed to further developing the product to suit different customer needs, while pursuing improved efficiency, safety and usability.
In 2012, Mayekawa launched the new NewTon series, comprising NewTon R (for cold storage), NewTon C (for chilled storage), NewTon F (for freezer storage), and NewTon S (for ice rinks). The four new models to be launched in July this year are the upgraded versions of the 2012 series.
The new models offer the following key features:
- Minimised NH3 charge: Optimised heat exchanger and improved piping layout reduce the NH3 refrigerant charge amount by 16% from 25kg down to 21kg (for R-3000 and F-300). In addition, a new plate type has been developed for the shell and plate heat exchanger to liquefy CO2.
- Reduced size: The width of an outdoor installation unit has been reduced to 2,300mm (previous model: 2,580mm) for R-6000 and F-600, enabling transportation without special vehicles. Furthermore, positioning the compressor 250mm lower produced a new package height of 2,100mm for the R-6000 and F-600 (550mm lower than the previous models’ 2,650mm).
- Reduced weight: The weight of the R-3000 and F-300 models has been reduced by 24% (to 2,550kg without CO2 receiver and 2,990kg with CO2 receiver), making it possible to transport the models on freight elevators with a weight limit of 3,000kg (which are commonly used in cold storage).
- Matrix converter integrated with IPM motor drive – an industry first: the matrix converter previously adopted in the R8000 and F800 models has now beenmighj standardised for all AC400V-class R and F series. While certain measures must be taken in accordance with harmonic emission control guidelines when introducing inverter-driven models, the requirement for such measures is low with matrix converters (which are considered to produce 0% harmonic emissions, making it easier to prepare harmonic current calculation sheets.
- Improved maintainability: With the compressor positioned 250mm lower, the package is under 2,100mm high. In addition to improved unit visibility and valve operation, increased safety is guaranteed by positioning each maintenance valve for NH3 and CO2 on the front and back side of the unit.
Integration of machine learning software
Since its early development phase, the NewTon has been equipped with a remote monitoring system to enable users to monitor the operational status of the cooling system and conduct maintenance work effectively. The company is also seeking to integrate a machine learning capability for predicting system failure into the system software.
