Daikin’s R407H in supermarket retrofit
15th October 2018
USA: Daikin’s lower GWP R407H refrigerant has been used for the first time in the US for an R22 supermarket retrofit.
The new blend, which is designed for new refrigeration systems and as a replacement for R22, R404A and R507 in existing systems, has been deployed at a TOPS store in Alden, NY, to replace R22. It is providing more than 25TR in medium-temperature refrigerated cases and displays.
Marketed by Daikin under the brand name Creard, R407H is a blend of R134a, R32 and R125. It has a GWP of 1495, compared to R22’s GWP of 1810.
After the conversion from R22, the system was monitored for three months (March through May, 2018). Data was collected for operating pressures, temperatures, and the energy consumption of the system. Power consumption during the test months when compared to R22 was reported to be 2% higher after the first fill and system shakedown, and then improved to 0.5% lower energy consumption after the controller was tuned. The cooling capacity remained the same between R22 and R407H.
TDH Refrigeration of Cheektowaga, NY, performed the retrofit during a single overnight shift, following traditional retrofit procedures.
“We followed the same conversion steps as with other commercially available retrofit refrigerants,” said Bob Randon, TDH Refrigeration’s president. “The R22 to R407H refrigerant conversion was completed with only a few adjustments required at system EPR valves. Monitoring of equipment operation and product temperatures post conversion have provided good results.”
Tim Bowen, TOPS Markets maintenance manager, indicated that R407H had proven to be a cost-effective, low-GWP match with R22. “This really becomes a great solution for TOPS Markets as we move forward with our conversion programme this year,” he said.
Related stories:
First R407H retrofit bears fruit – 15 February 2018
USA: Daikin has completed its first US retrofit of its new lower GWP refrigerant, Creard R407H, in the refrigeration system of a cold storage warehouse. Read more…
Daikin joins race to replace R404A – 22 March 2017
JAPAN: Daikin has launched the refrigerant blend R407H as its lower global warming potential replacement for R404A. Read more…
Daikin releases R404A replacement in US – 15 July 2017
USA: Daikin America has announced the availability of test samples of new refrigerant blend R407H for OEMs and R404A and R22 retrofits in the United States. Read more…
Daikin buys German refrigerant plant – 30 January 2015
BELGIUM: Daikin has gained a European manufacturing base for refrigerants with its purchase of Solvay’s German-based refrigerant business. Read more…
