TÜV opens CO2 test bench

GERMANY: Leading German test centre TÜV Süd has commissioned a new CO2 test bench at its refrigeration and air conditioning centre of competence.

TÜV says the new test bench at its laboratory in Olching, near Munich, is a response to the growing demand for tests of refrigeration components operated with CO2.

“In combination with the existing test chambers, the new CO2 test bench meets the requirements of the standards DIN EN 327 (air-cooled condenser and gas cooler) and DIN EN 328 (fan ventilator),” said TÜV Süd’s head of the center of competence (CoC) for refrigeration and air conditioning.

In addition, the test bench can also be used, for example, to measure refrigerated display equipment with and without an internal expansion valve and condensing units.

The test bench can handle, for example, gas coolers of around 10 to 100kW at a maximum pressure of 100bar. “We are able to tailor other pressure and performance areas to meet specific customer requirements,” explained Mirko Herrmann and Martin Breuher from CoC refrigeration and air conditioning.

With fan air coolers the measuring range extends from 3 to 40kW at air inlet temperatures of +10°C to -34°C. TÜV Süd says that even at evaporation temperatures of -40°C, it is still possible to retrieve the upper power limit of 40kW cooling capacity. To achieve these parameters, they are protected on the low-pressure side in three stages with 25bar, 38bar and 53bar to meet market requirements.