CO₂ in industrial refrigeration
Solutions for CO2 in industrial refrigeration
Industrial refrigeration is the first area where CO2 has made a successful comeback. CO2 in industrial refrigeration is used either as the low-stage refrigerant in cascade installations, or as a secondary coolant. Danfoss has more than 15 years of experience in developing components for sub-critical CO2 systems and offers a complete range of valves for those applications, including:
- Control valves
- Line components
- Complete valve stations
- Filter-driers
- Sensors (temperature, pressure, level, gas detectors)
Danfoss has carried out all the required tests to ensure that components released for use with CO2 are compatible in all respects. Danfoss industrial refrigeration specialists can help you with the selection of the right components for CO2 applications.
Why CO₂ in industrial refrigeration?
CO2 belongs to the so-called “Natural” refrigerants, together with e.g. ammonia, hydrocarbons such as propane and butane, and water. While ammonia is a great all-round refrigerant for industrial refrigeration applications, its use is sometimes limited in areas where toxicity or flammability is a concern. In these and in a number of other applications, CO2’s unique properties make it an attractive alternative:
CO2 is both non-toxic and non-flammable. In places where it is allowed to use only a limited amount of ammonia, cascade or secondary CO2 systems are a great solution.
CO2 cascade systems are very efficient for low temperature applications. E.g. for freezing fish. With CO2 it is possible to freeze the fish faster and to lower temperatures, thus improving the quality and consuming less energy than in the same freezing process using other refrigerants.
CO2 is excellent as a brine. The circulation rate required for efficient freezing with CO2 is very low, thus reducing the size of the pumps, as well as the energy consumption. Heat transfer efficiency of CO2 is nearly constant for all practical temperatures, which makes it very attractive as a brine for low and medium temperature applications
Technical developments since the 1920's have removed many of the barriers to the use of CO2, which once existed. However, CO2 users must still be highly aware of its unique properties and take the necessary precautions to avoid problems in their refrigeration systems. Danfoss specialists can help you to select suitable components, and the literature found on this website covers a great deal of Danfoss experience with CO2 applications.
CO₂ products for industrial refrigeration
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FIA 15-200 strainersFIA are a range of angleway and straightway strainers, which are carefully designed to give favorable flow conditions. The design makes the strainer easy to install, and ensures quick strainer inspection and cleaning. FIA strainers are used ahead of automatic controls, pumps, compressors etc., for initial plant start-up and where permanent filtration of the refrigerant is required. The strainer reduces the risk of undesirable system breakdowns and reduces wear and tear on plant components.
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CHV-X 15-125 check valvesCHV-X check valves are designed to open at very low differential pressures, allow favorable flow conditions, and are easy to disassemble for inspection and service. Laser-cut V-ports provide excellent opening characteristics and the valve cone has built-in flexibility, ensuring precise and tight closing.
Case studies
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World's first 100% CO₂ system for ice rinks scores with Danfoss valvesWith an estimated 8,000 ice hockey rinks in the United States and Canada, the small Quebec town of Saint-Gédéon-de-Beauce, 20 miles west of the Maine border, boasts the world's first ice hockey rink that uses 100 percent carbon dioxide (CO₂) refrigeration.