CO2 Refrigeration for Retail and Industrial Applications
Hillphoenix provides industrial refrigeration and food retail refrigeration solutions for companies in multiple industry sectors, and we are the leader in CO2 refrigeration, eco-friendly low-charge synthetic systems, micro-distributed refrigeration systems, and alternative refrigerants such as propane.
CO2 refrigeration systems! A perfect solution for regulatory compliance.
Navigating and staying compliant with all of the new retail and commercial refrigeration regulations can seem daunting. Many of the hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants used in commercial refrigeration produce environmentally harmful carbon emissions. As the industry looks for alternative refrigerants with lower global warming potential (GWP) and ozone depletion potential (ODP), questions arise concerning regulatory changes, refrigerant performance and safety. Hillphoenix suggests using CO2 refrigeration systems for regulatory compliance. Why use CO2 refrigerants?
CO2 Refrigeration:
Hillphoenix sustainable refrigeration systems
The leader in CO2 refrigeration and alternative refrigerants, Hillphoenix provides CO2 refrigeration systems for industrial and retail applications, specifically designed to meet the specific needs of your industry while saving energy, ensuring regulatory compliance, and reducing your environmental impact. Let’s cover some of the most common questions asked about CO2 refrigeration systems.
CO2 Refrigeration: Common Questions
- CO2 is called “natural refrigerant” because it is a substance that occurs directly in nature as opposed to synthetic chemicals.
- Readily available, odorless, non-corrosive, class A1 (non-toxic, non-flammable and can be safely vented) refrigerant which is not harmful if exposed to food products.
- Environmentally benign with no ozone depletion potential (ODP = 0) while serving as the baseline for global warming potential with a GWP of 1.
- Advansor technology has over 15,000 global installations and counting.
- The system’s higher quality heat reclaim opportunities improve store energy performance.
- Advansor systems require a lower CO2 charge and have a smaller weight and footprint compared to CO2 secondary systems.
- More efficient than conventional HFC systems in many climates.
- An excellent way to help achieve GreenChill Platinum-Level Certification.
- Provides significant system energy savings, which along with low refrigerant cost, translates to operational savings.
- Transcritical CO2 booster systems run with a very high discharge temperature offering efficient heat reclaim opportunity far superior to an equivalent HFC system.
- CO2 is “future-focused”
- No regulatory issues as with NH3, HCFC, HFC, and HFO refrigerants.
- Will NEVER be phased out. No chance of fines or penalties.
- No regulatory management (recovery, recycling, or reporting) is required by OSHA (PSM), EPA (RMP), or DHS (CFATS).
- No need for internal recordkeeping or staff safety engineer admin overhead cost.
- Lower service and maintenance costs when servicing equipment since CO2 can be vented to the open air (does not have to be captured and reclaimed).
CO2 booster systems provide both low- and medium-temperature refrigeration to display cases and walk-ins without relying on any synthetic refrigerants.
CO2 systems utilize case controllers to monitor case performance and keep tabs on temps, alarms, etc. They also control the evaporator superheat and what’s more, they do it remotely. No longer a need to install temperature probes and run wires across the store. These savings, plus the safety of CO2 as a “future-focused solution” — forget worries about other refrigerants, only adds to the list of reasons to install a CO2 system. Now, here’s how it works: The cooling cycle begins with liquid CO2 in the flash tank (receiver). The liquid is distributed to coolers, freezers, and cases via a network of copper piping. Electronic expansion valves (EEVs) control the flow of CO2 into the evaporators which have been specially designed to ensure efficient operation in CO2 booster systems. Suction gas from the low-temp evaporators returns to the rack and is compressed by the low-temp compressors to the pressure of the medium-temp evaporators. Suction gas from the medium-temp evaporators returns to the rack and is combined with the discharge gas from the low-temp compressors and with flash gas exiting the flash tank via the flash gas bypass valve. This mixture enters the medium-temp compressors and is compressed to high pressure and is sent to the gas cooler where it is cooled to near ambient temperature — in cooler weather, the CO2 in the gas cooler condenses similar to conventional systems.
From the gas cooler, the CO2 enters the high-pressure control valve where it is expanded back to subcritical pressures. The CO2 then enters the flash tank where it is separated into liquid and gas and the cycle begins again.
CO2 complies with CARB, EPA SNAP, Climate Alliance and NRCanada agency regulations.
For example: The Refrigeration and Air Conditioning sector is just one of eight that fall under SNAP’s risk framework. To come to a decision on acceptable substitutes, an analysis of the risks is performed from the various substitutes in different industrial and consumer uses that have historically used ozone depleting substances. When evaluating each proposed alternative, they look at things like ozone depleting potential, global warming potential (GWP), toxicity, and flammability, among other items.
Through these evaluations, a list of acceptable and unacceptable substitutes is generated for each of the major sectors and is updated many times throughout the year.
- Synthetics have +30 years of phase-outs (CFC-HCFC-HFC ) vs. CO2 is a natural refrigerant and will not be phased-out.
- Synthetics will have a gradual increase in costs as phase-out approaches vs. CO2 is a natural refrigerant and does not have phase-out costs.
- Synthetics have an additional cost associated with EPA section 608 & CARB requirements vs. CO2 does not have these additional costs.
- Synthetics do not support Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) corporate initiatives vs. CO2 is part of corporate sustainability goals.
- Synthetics have to recover, recycle, and reclaim requirements vs. CO2 has no recovery requirements.
- The actual synthetic refrigerant cost more than CO2 refrigerants.
- Synthetics use larger line sizes that increase installation costs vs. CO2 systems use smaller copper line sizes reflecting savings in material.
Updating or retrofitting may be a viable alternative for some retailers. A tad less disruptive and perhaps more economical in the short term. However, in the long run, it could cost a lot more depending on future regulations.
Building new on the other hand, though initially more expensive, replaces leaking, problematic systems with new equipment. Plus, more importantly, it allows for the use of natural refrigerants like CO2. Natural refrigerants are less expensive and abundant. They have zero impact on the environment and are more efficient, more economical and an all-around excellent choice for the future.
No matter what path you take we can develop a step-by-step plan for compliance.
Why should you use Hillphoenix for CO2 refrigeration solutions?
Because we offer you hands-on, time-tested practical CO2 systems experience that no one else in our industry can match.
We have installed over 14,000 CO2 Booster systems globally. We have earned eleven consecutive EPA GreenChill Store Certification Excellence Awards. We have educated over 40,000 industry professionals and organizations on a host of refrigeration topics including natural refrigeration systems. And, in addition to being a founding member of the GreenChill program, Hillphoenix helped foster the founding of NASRC, a non-profit organization committed to reducing greenhouse gases and helping retailers transition to environmentally friendly refrigerants.
Debunking the Myths About CO2 Refrigeration
There are common misconceptions out there about CO2 refrigeration systems. Refrigeration expert Scott Martin helps you learn fact from fiction in this webinar and educational webpage called “Debunking the Myths About CO2 Refrigeration.” Some common misconceptions include:
- CO2 is an energy hog
- CO2 is way too complex
- CO2 system leak rates are over 100%
For an informed look at CO2 refrigeration, watch the webinar or view the webpage as Martin (Hillphoenix Senior Director of Industry Relations and Compliance) debunks some of the industry’s biggest myths.
The Industry’s Most Robust CO2 Refrigeration Product Offering.
CO2 refrigeration systems for the food retail industry
Our food retail refrigeration systems and merchandising display cases are designed to maintain the highest standards in food quality and safety as well as providing retailers with the flexibility and customization options to create the best customer shopping and retail merchandising experiences. We lead the industry in CO2 retail refrigeration, R22 replacement systems and alternative refrigerants. Our wide range of retail commercial refrigeration and merchandising solutions utilize industry-leading energy efficient refrigeration and lighting technologies and are designed with our customers’ needs in mind.
We offer a CO2 Refrigeration System for every application.
CO2 refrigeration systems for industrial applications.
The leader in CO2 refrigeration and alternative refrigerants, Hillphoenix provides custom industrial refrigeration systems to meet critical process requirements for production, processing, packaging, freezing, and storage applications in the Cold Storage & Distribution, Food Processing & Production, Pharmaceuticals, and Ice Rink sectors. Industrial refrigeration systems designed and produced by Hillphoenix ensure the integrity of the cold supply chain with innovative traditional and sustainable refrigeration solutions.
Driving Product Quality through the Cold Chain.
Cold Storage
Food Processing
Pharmaceuticals
Literature
Angelic Bakehouse needed to increase capacity and capability.
To get to the next level for their business, they determined they needed to install a blast freezer and accompanying refrigerated processing areas. Angelic Bakehouse was to have five blast freezers, a refrigerated packaging area, a refrigerated dock area, and a main storage freezer. A CO2 system was the answer
DeCO2ded – Understanding ROI on CO2 Refrigeration Systems
Determining ROI on a CO2 system requires a number of variables. By analyzing those variables including the cost/benefit analysis, a retailer can gain a better understanding what they are.
CO2 Transcritical Booster Systems Explained
This white paper explaines in general how CO2 booster systems work, and in particular, the function of three main components of the system that make it a practical alternative to traditional refrigeration systems.
A CO2 solution to ensure sustainability and corporate citizenship.
Best Foods to expand their capabilities to meet ever-growing customer demand. To further their business’s growth, they needed, an additional 25,000 sq. ft freezer, a 20,000 sq. ft cooler, a 15,000 sq. ft refrigerated dock, and a sizeable dry storage area.e.
House of Spice recently decided to build a Chicago-area facility to help keep pace with their rapidly expanding business.
A growing awareness of the environmental consequences of using global warming synthetic refrigerants inspired House of Spice to seek alternative refrigeration solution such as CO2.
Frozen In Time. A Hard Look at the Future of Refrigeration
A Cold Hard Look at the Refrigeration Regulations. Do nothing in the face of certain change to come later. Or, make a choice from two options: update/retrofit existing equipment or build new.
Hillphoenix Refrigeration Systems Product Matrix
No matter what the application or the specific refrigeration need, we can offer our customers a wide variety of options and configurations.
Video & Interactive
Hillphoenix CO2 (R744) Refrigeration Systems Product Portfolio Webinar
Why use CO2 (R744) as a refrigerant? It is an ASHRAE classified A1 refrigerant – It’s all-natural, non-toxic, non-flammable refrigerant with a global warming potential (GWP) of 1. CO2 is also a very efficient refrigerant that can provide costs savings. CO2 is a future focused solution for regulatory compliance and protects against future legislation and the impact of possible taxation or costly fines.
Refrigeration Regulations and Natural Refrigerants Webinar
Refrigeration regulations webinar discussion about refrigeration regulations, compliance and natural refrigerants.
The Industry Experts in Environmentally Friendly Refrigeration Systemr
We offer you hands-on, time-tested, practical experience with natural refrigerants, that no one else in our industry can match.
Hillphoenix 2020-2021 10th GreenChill Award
Each year, the EPA’s GreenChill program recognizes various food retailers and refrigeration systems manufactures……that have taken steps to reduce refrigerant emissions and decrease their impact on climate change.
AdvansorFlex-Mini CO2 System
The Advansorflex-Mini CO2 refrigeration system is perfect for small format retail stores, partial remodels, and stores with distributed refrigeration systems. A GWP of 1 and ODP of 0 make this system a future-focused solution for refrigeration regulations.
CO2One Single Condensing Unit
CO2One is a CO2 single condensing unit all natural refrigeration system that comes in a small, convenient footprint ideal for small capacity loads in any size store.
EPA AIM Act Proposed Rule
In a continuing effort to keep the food retail industry and our customers informed of the ever-changing refrigeration regulatory environment, we want to bring you the most recent update concerning a proposal from the US Environmental Protection Agency or EPA.
CO2 Refrigeration:
the time has come to stop wondering and make a decision!