Star Refrigeration, a U.K. manufacturer of industrial systems with a strong background in ammonia, announced today it has brought out a line of CO2 packaged systems targeted at the small industrial refrigeration market.
The company currently offers a wide range of ammonia refrigeration including low-charge ammonia packages and ammonia-based heat pumps under the brand Star Renewable Energy.
“With over 40 MW of project install capacity, Star Refrigeration leveraged their wide experience in delivering bespoke CO2 refrigeration solutions for industrial applications to engineer the new generation of industrial-build, self-contained CO2 refrigeration packages,” David Wallace, director of sales at Star Refrigeration, said in a press release.
The CO2 packages come in capacities up to 300 kW with four temperature settings:
- Envichill: 0°C to 8°C
- Envicold: -22°C to 0°C
- Envifreeze: – 40°C to -20°C
- Envichiller: a range of temperatures
The Envichill, Envicold and Envichiller are all CO2 transcritical packs with multiple semi-hermetic reciprocating compressors and a low-pressure receiver, designed by Star Refrigeration, that can enhance the efficiency of a system via a semi-flooded evaporator operation.
The Envifreeze, meanwhile, is a two-stage compressor rack booster system for lower temperatures.
The company has already had some success with its Envi range, having installed two in 2017 at a local bakery in the U.K. and one at a local pizza manufacturer.
The company believes that those aiming to install small industrial systems, which are used in food and drink manufacturing, inline freezing and chilling, building services, industrial processes, data centres, leisure and ice making applications, may wish to opt for CO2 rather than ammonia or HFCs.
“Up until now, those seeking refrigeration solutions in an industrial setting but with a capacity of under 300kW faced something of a conundrum.”
Star Refrigeration’s press release
“Up until now, those seeking refrigeration solutions in an industrial setting but with a capacity of under 300kW faced something of a conundrum”, Star Refrigeration’s press release states, “The [new European] F-Gas Regulation is moving end-users away from HFCs. [..] At the same time, the use of industrial ammonia systems is unsuitable in certain applications due to its capital costs and toxicity potential when used in enclosed environments.”
“From the initial development phase we strived to respond to market demand by developing a competitive solution which allowed customers with smaller industrial applications to move away from HFCs and use natural refrigerants, without compromising quality or life span,” Wallace said.
