Technology Offers

The Refrigerated Routing Problem (RRP) consists of finding the optimal delivery tour that minimises the fuel consumption for both the traction and the refrigeration components. The total fuel consumption is related, in a complex way, to the distance travelled, the vehicle load and speed, and the outdoor temperature.

"Industrial process chilling systems come with four main components: evaporator, throttle valve/ expansion valve, compressor and condenser. Dirty condenser and evaporative coils have a negative impact on energy efficient system operation, because at this industry the compressor had to work longer and, therefore, the system was using more power because the coefficient of performance/energy efficiency ratio (COP/EER) was severely affected.For this reason, preventive maintenance is still the best way to ensure sustenance of chiller efficiency for getting economic and consumption savings."

Recovering heat from the refrigeration process can save energy and cut energy costs. Heat-recovery equipment can be fitted to existing plants or integrated in new plants. There are two types of heat recovery systems from refrigeration, depending on the installation and refrigerant used: High-grade heat recovery, where heat (of between 60 and 90°C) is recuperated in refrigeration systems from de- superheating the refrigerant between the compressor and the condenser. Low-grade heat recovery, where heat (of between 20 and 40°C) comes from the refrigerant being condensed.

"The most common type of dock-door installed uses a simple shelter system, which is characterized by low prices and easy maintenance. However, it presents issues related to energy consumptions and global warming potential. Inflatable shelters represent an alternative solution with improved air insulation. The annual energy savings achievable using the inflatable shelter technology are not negligible. The main goal of these shelters is to reduce the outdoor air infiltration into the dock. The case analyzed shows energy savings of around 88% compared to the traditional flaps shelters. "

For many years the industrial refrigeration system has used traditional R22 and its substituting refrigeration gases, with high power but also high GWP. The option to transform this system by a new centralised ammonia system (NH3, R717) brings a set of benefits as improved efficiency, easier maintenance, emissions reduction, better control, etc. By substituting the old performance cooling plant by a new NH3 system it is also possible to use part of the heat produced in the factory processes, thus improving the overall heating and cooling performance. The heat recovery system is integrated in the overall system, thus providing an integrated performance of great interest for any factory demanding cold and heat.

Portable refrigerated units (PRU) represent a novel solution that can be used by logistic companies to offer their customers a refrigerated transport service for small and medium volumes (e.g., Less than Truck Load transport) of perishable goods on board of their standard vehicles, without the need for investment in special vehicles and infrastructures.The use of active refrigerated containers simplifies different phases of the cold chain with a noticeable reduction in direct and indirect costs, a significant improvement in delivery time, and also a reduction in the risk of food contamination and breaks in the chain itself. This fact entails environmental benefits in terms of reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

One large and energy-intense actor with a significant thermostatically controlled load is supermarket companies, and more precisely, their refrigeration systems in the stores, which at times of energy deficiency in the grid could be turned off rapidly. The thermal inertia within the refrigerated display cabinets (RDCs) would allow the supermarket refrigeration system to be shut down for a limited period while the temperature of the refrigerated goods increases to an upper limit, making them suitable for fast responding direct load control. The refrigeration system does also have the possibility to absorb surplus electrical energy from the grid by transforming it into stored compressor work, i.e. by reducing the temperature of its refrigerated content.

Free Cooling indicates the direct use of an external source, typically air, but can also be water, when its temperature (and humidity in case of direct external air use) allow its use directly (e.g. introduction of external air without any treatment) or indirectly (treating the air or exchanging heat with air or other heat carriers) with a lower energy consumption of the HVAC or cooling system. It is typically used in HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems but can be also exploited to assist cooling for industrial applications. New HVAC systems usually are designed to allow free cooling, while other systems or older ones can often be modified to exploit free cooling. The most suitable environment for Free Cooling is a combination of a cold or mild climate zone and the need of cooling energy for most of the year. This encompasses many manufacturing industries, such as food and beverage ones, but also other kind of facilities like data centres and spaces where constant temperature and humidity levels must be maintained (clean rooms, cold rooms, areas of hospitals, etc.).A Free Cooling system, together with the energy savings can offer different benefits, such as: Reduced water consumption, Reduced operational costs, Reduced carbon footprint, reduced maintenance costs.

"Modern supermarket chains are responsible for 3% to 5% of total global electricity consumption. Stores require refrigeration to store their products, which is responsible for 30% to 60% of their total consumed electricity. In addition, supermarket refrigeration systems are in charge of significant amounts of CO2 emissions. The use of natural refrigerants, such as CO2 (R744), is recommended to reduce the environmental impact. CO2 is non-toxic, non-flammable, has zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and a low GWP value which is equal to 1. So, it is environmentally friendly and does not harm the ozone. CO2 has also favorable thermophysical properties, such as high density, specific heat capacity and conductivity. To improve the efficiency of these systems, it has been proposed to optimize the high pressure of the system, the application of refrigerant subcooling after the gas cooler, the two-stage compression, the parallel compression as well as the use of ejectors and cascade systems.In addition to refrigeration, supermarkets consume electricity for lighting, have requirements for space heating and air conditioning in winter and summer period respectively, as well as for domestic hot water supply. Therefore, solar-driven polygeneration units have been studied which will be installed in a supermarket to cover a significant part of their total needs."

Enex presents Elba, the new range of transcritical CO2 refrigeration units, a synthesis of innovation, flexibility and energy saving. It is available in two dedicated versions: INDUSTRIAL and COMMERCIAL. Typical applications are:◆ Industrial refrigeration systems for distribution and logistics centers;◆ Refrigeration unit for belt freezers in the food industry;◆ Transformation production processes.The refrigeration units of Elba series represent the most effective solution to overcome the environmental problems related to synthetic refrigerants, harmful to the environment.

Drava refrigeration units are specifically conceived to be used in small-medium supermarkets, in the HoReCa sector and in all of those applications requiring units with small dimensions and ease of use. Among the Drava products there are both machineries for medium temperature and the booster variation with medium and low temperatures. Enex makes use of the natural refrigerating fluid CO2 in this range, too. For this reason, it escapes the legislative restrictions, the incertitude and disadvantages related to the synthetic refrigerants use.

"The food cold chain has received increasing focus over the last years because of the consumers' concern for their health. When dealing with frozen products, lower temperatures correspond to longer preservation. However, it also means higher environmental impact because of the reduced refrigeration systems' performances. It is therefore crucial to manage warehouse temperatures in such a way as to ensure product quality at the end of the storage period, and minimal energy consumption. A solution that has been developed is the use of storage tanks filled with phase-change material (PCM). Their ability to store large amounts of energy make it possible to run the refrigerating system when the best conditions are met (low outdoor air temperature), and to deliver a steady cooling fluid temperature, thus avoiding temperature fluctuations which is a good way to preserve food quality and safety.A cold storage system (CSS) helps in storing the cold energy using the excess electricity available in the off-peak hours or from renewable resources such as wind power. Then utilises the same during peak hours. As a result, the peak hour electricity load can be shifted to off-peak hours. This reduces high kVA charges and simultaneously enhances the operating efficiency of the chiller, as it is operated at a lower condensing temperature (during the night). CSS uses either a sensible heat system (SHS), which offers lower energy storage density or a Latent Heat System (LHS), which provides higher energy storage density. A model predictive controller has been applied to refrigeration plants to obtain advanced control strategies. "

The sustainable ROXSTAsmart concept fits perfectly to the requirements of small to mediumsized supermarkets, commercial kitchens or smaller warehouses.

ROXSTA2.0 is suitable for larger supermarkets, food production and logistics or warehouses. For difficult placement situations or narrow machine rooms, the machine and medium pressure station can be separated on site.

ROXSTAindustrial meets the demands of the industry, food production and logistics perfectly.The transcritical CO2 booster provides a high level of flexibility in order to satisfy customer needs and completely meet the demands within the kinds of use

Extremely compact packaged ammonia chillers based on reciprocating compressors.There are 21 different models in the standard ChillPAC range, with capacities ranging from 60 kW to 1,400 kW.

Food process applications requiring cooling for industrial equipment are usually characterized for requiring constant loads during the year. But that does not mean the chiller will operate in the same conditions throughout the whole year. In fact, to ensure that the load request in a food process application is always satisfied, the chiller is designed to provide the proper cooling capacity in the worst operating condition for the specific climate region (design conditions).

It is possible to obtain electricity from renewable sources such as solar radiation to reduce GHG emissions. Solar thermal technologies can also be used in the production of cooling to meet the demand for temperature changes. In this way, solar thermal technologies can be used to reduce or replace the electricity demand of cooling systems.

Our latest air-cooled low charge ammonia chiller, the Azanechiller 2.0, sets a new benchmark in chiller performance with efficiency figures that are up to 146% higher than the European EcoDesign Directive (2009/125/EC) and the UK’s Ecodesign for Energy Related Products Regulations requirement for medium temperature chillers, up to 100% higher for comfort cooling chillers and up to 74% higher for high temperature chillers.

The air cooled, low charge ammonia refrigeration freezer provides a simple packaged solution for cold storage and food manufacturing applications, such as blast and spiral freezing. The units range from 111kW to 650kW and are designed for low temperatures ranging from -18°C to -40°C. Multiple modules can also be used for larger applications.