HFO chiller cools Nottingham University

UK: The joint developer of a chiller using Turbocor compressors and R1234ze has now applied the HFO refrigerant in a traditional reciprocating compressor-based chiller.

Bristol-based Cool-Therm, which jointly developed the Turbomiser chiller, has supplied an HFO-based reciprocating chiller to the University of Nottingham, where it is being used to cool the University’s new Centre for Sustainable Chemistry. With the building designed to be carbon neutral, R1234ze was chosen due to its very low global warming potential (around 5-6).

The 60kW ducted VHR chiller, manufactured by Italian company Geoclima, is equipped with refrigerant leak detection and an automatic pump down system, to isolate the plant from the building in the event of a leak.

Given the educational setting, noise emissions were also an important design consideration. Acoustic control is used on both the intake and discharge sides of the plant with special air intake louvres, designed and installed by the contractor on the project, Imtech Engineering Services Central.

Martin Sharman, who heads up Cool-Therm’s Midlands office, said: “The project demonstrates the increasing interest in the market for low GWP cooling solutions. There is no doubt a change taking place among forward-thinking consultants and end users.

“As a result of the new F-Gas Regulation, and the question mark over the long-term future of traditional HFC refrigerants, people are understandably looking for alternatives.”