Guest Bio
Chris Brown is an application engineering manager at Danfoss, supporting food retail customers. He has nearly 20 years of experience in technical support and implementation.
Episode Summary
Host Vic Marinich is joined by Chris Brown, application engineering manager at Danfoss, to discuss the adoption and implementation of CO2 as a refrigerant.
Main Points
- Currently, supermarkets have taken the most action when it comes to implementing CO2. We’re seeing stores switch from their current design to one that uses CO2 throughout the store and are adopting CO2 in stores being built. (4:45)
- The U.S. is probably about 10 years behind Europe in CO2 adoption but with the passage of the AIM Act, the gap is closing. More and more customers are recognizing the need to adopt low GWP refrigerants and are looking at CO2. (6:10)
- The benefits of CO2 as a refrigerant are greater energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions. But CO2 could potentially be less efficient if the system doesn’t have the design features, such as ejectors, needed to realize the increased energy efficiency. (8:20)
- Proper training of contractors is critical so they understand how CO2 systems differ from HFC systems and know how to install the necessary components. (13:20)
- Industry studies forecast significant growth in CO2 adoption over the next few years. Currently, less than 10% of supermarkets are using CO2; in 3 years, the number could be as high as 30%. (19:00)
- Currently, ammonia is the dominant – about 90% – refrigerant in industrial refrigeration, but that sector is showing more interest in CO2, particularly in smaller applications. (19:45)
- There is potential for CO2 to be used in HVAC systems, such as in condensing units. (20:00)
Links
Read how a California dairy farm used a CO2 chiller to reduce emissions and energy costs while improving quality and productivity: https://www.danfoss.com/en-us/service-and-support/case-stories/dcs/co2-chillers-give-pro-refrigeration-a-future-proof-solution/
Learn more about Danfoss CO2 refrigeration solutions: https://www.danfoss.com/en-us/about-danfoss/our-businesses/cooling/refrigerants-and-energy-efficiency/refrigerants-for-lowering-the-gwp/carbon-dioxide-co2/
To hear tips from Chris Brown and his Danfoss colleague Dave Yoder on proper installation and maintenance of CO2 refrigeration systems, tune into the Controller Talk podcast.
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For more information and additional episodes of the EnVisioneering Exchange podcast, visit https://www.danfoss.com/en-us/about-danfoss/insights-for-tomorrow/envisioneering-exchange/