Daikin to test viability of CO2 Conveni-Pack
21st January 2020
BELGIUM: Daikin is looking to demonstrate the viability of a CO2 version of its established Conveni-Pack integrated supermarket refrigeration and comfort cooling and heating system.
Conveni-Pack recovers heat from supermarket refrigeration display cabinets and evaporators and reuses it to heat other areas of the building at no extra cost. Launched in 2006, Daikin’s Conveni-Pack currently uses R410A refrigerant.
Daikin says the Natural HVACR 4 LIFE research project, which is co-funded by the EU’s LIFE programme, is embedded in its company-wide initiative to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, including the emissions generated throughout the life cycle of Daikin products.
The project is being coordinated by Daikin’s Ostend-based European HQ, Daikin Europe NV, in partnership with its subsidiaries Daikin Airconditioning Germany and Daikin AC Spain.
Through the Life project, Daikin will demonstrate a Conveni-Pack running on CO2 refrigerant, and research further mitigation options to ensure safety and enhance energy performance of CO2, typical challenges of using the low GWP refrigerant CO2, especially in warm climates.
The first prototype will be tested in a simulated convenience store at the Daikin Europe Ostend plant, followed by the demonstration and monitoring of prototypes in actual supermarkets in Germany and Spain. The total project duration is expected to be 3 years.
