World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

Coborn’s picks R448A over CO2

USA: A Midwestern retail chain has chosen the lower GWP refrigerant R448A over CO2 for a new store in Isanti, Minnesota.

While CO2 is becoming accepted as the mainstream refrigerant for supermarkets, Coborn’s Inc says it carefully weighed up the pros and cons and went for a traditional system using R448A.

Coburn’s Inc, which operates  more than 50 supermarkets and 120 stores throughout the Midwest, required a refrigeration system for its new 45,000ft² supermarket in Isanti, where more than 50% of the floor space would be dedicated to fresh food.

The retailer evaluated systems using R448A, developed by Honeywell and sold as Solstice N40, and carbon dioxide (CO2). It determined that a conventional system using R448A was best for the Isanti store, future new supermarkets and stores, and upcoming retrofits.

R448A has a GWP of 1273. It is non-ozone-depleting and nonflammable, and is approved for use by major compressor manufacturers. Compared to R404A, the refrigerant it is designed to replace, it is said to demonstrate 3% lower energy consumption in low-temperature applications and 5 to 16% lower energy consumption in medium-temperature applications.

Coborn’s estimates are said to have shown that a CO2 transcritical installation would cost 20% to 30% more than a Solstice N40 system. In addition to the greater cost of design and equipment to support CO2, Coborn’s was concerned that there would be serviceability issues related to low availability of parts and a limited pool of trained technicians.

“The decision to go with a Solstice N40 refrigerant system was easy because it was significantly more cost-effective than CO2 and offered terrific energy efficiency,” said Chris Braun, Coborn’s project manager for construction, refrigeration and maintenance.

Coborn’s contracted St Cloud Refrigeration (SCR) to install the new system. “As a refrigeration company, we want to recommend what’s best for each customer and for Coborn’s, we saw Solstice N40 fitting into a wide realm of requirements—from satisfying upcoming GWP regulations, to delivering great energy efficiency, to being cost-effective,” said Dave Behrens, SCR’s supermarket sales representative.

“Demand for energy efficient refrigerants like Solstice N40 is growing at an unprecedented rate, as the supermarket industry transitions to solutions that cut costs, meet regulations and achieve environmental goals,” said David Cooper, business director, Honeywell Refrigerants. “The ease of conversion from previous-generation refrigerants to Solstice N40 means that companies like Coborn’s can easily plan their future stores and retrofit an entire chain of stores in the short term, and realise significant energy savings in the long term.”

Solstice N40 is promoted as a near drop-in replacement for R22, R404A and R507, as well as suitable for use to replace interim blends R402A, R402B and R408A.

The refrigeration system powered by Solstice N40 serves both medium- and low-temperature applications across the fresh produce, meat, deli and bakery spectrum. This includes two Zero Zone racks and approximately 110 display cases and eight walk-in freezers.

Latest News

28th March 2024

Hudson warns of unsafe US recovery cylinders

USA: The US refrigerant supplier and reclaimer Hudson Technologies has warned of illegal and unsafe recovery cylinders entering the US market.
28th March 2024

Topical talks at Bath breakfast meeting

UK: The next South West South Wales Refrigeration Society breakfast briefing will feature talks from three experienced and knowledgable speakers on varied refrigeration and air conditioning topics.
28th March 2024

CO2 compressor for multiple applications

ITALY: Frascold’s new TK HD series transcritical CO2 compressors are designed for a wide range of refrigeration and air conditioning applications, as well as high-temperature heat pumps up to 100°C.
28th March 2024

Copeland releases 50hp scroll in Asia

CHINA: US compressor manufacturer Copeland is to launch a 50hp scroll for heat pump OEMs in Asia.
27th March 2024

Daikin redesigns Perfera R32 air conditioner

BELGIUM: Daikin Europe has announced a next generation All Seasons Perfera R32 air conditioner with redesigned indoor and outdoor units, making them easy to install and use.
27th March 2024

Press fittings go large

UK: Conex Bänninger has expanded its >B< MaxiPro range of press fittings with the addition of a 1⅝in fitting.