Carbon dioxide

This document has been developed by OzonAction as part of UN Environment’s work programme under the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).

The wide acceptance of new technologies depends on a myriad of factors, in the technological, economic and social field, that form part of a complex network of interactions. Both innovators and technology adopters share a common concern for respecting the economic bottom-line and for choosing solutions that provide the highest possible level of investment security while being framed by solid industry support and favourable policy conditions.

The wide acceptance of new technologies depends on a myriad of factors, in the technological, economic and social field, that form part of a complex network of interactions. Both innovators and technology adopters share a common concern for respecting the economic bottom-line and for choosing solutions that provide the highest possible level of investment security while being framed by solid industry support and favourable policy conditions. The industrial refrigeration industry is no exception to this. While the use of ammonia has not been challenged on grounds of lacking energy efficiency nor overall environmental benefits, the trend towards reducing the refrigerant charge for increased safety is currently changing the industry.

Source Refrigeration & HVAC, a major U.S. contractor based in Anaheim, California, is in the process of installing a subcritical CO₂ refrigeration system at its headquarters’ training centre to serve as a technician-training tool.

Carrefour Belgium has opened its first ever store fitted with a propylene water-loop refrigeration system. The retail giant will test the system over the next twelve months before deciding whether to roll out the concept in other locations.

The Madagasy Union of Refrigeration Technicians (UFM) is running an awareness-raising campaign to promote uptake of natural refrigerants.

This December, Hannaford Supermarkets, a division of Ahold Delhaize, will begin installing a transcritical CO₂ refrigeration system in an existing store in Raymond, New Hampshire, its first such retrofit project and one of only a few in the United States.

The Japanese company has placed its first CO₂ system in Europe, in a COOP store in Randers, Denmark.

Two U.S. supermarkets that use ammonia/CO₂ cascade refrigeration systems – a Whole Foods Market and a Piggly Wiggly – received the GreenChill Award for “Best of the Best” certified stores from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s GreenChill Partnership.

US retailer Piggly Wiggly has recorded energy savings averaging 28.5% over a seven-month period in a Georgia store, thanks mainly to its NH₃/CO₂ refrigeration system.

French firm Atlantic Compressors is delivering an NH₃-CO₂ cascade system to serve the cooling needs of a distribution centre for one of France’s main supermarket chains. The system will be up and running next month.

The gourmet German food specialist Frische Paradies is using a state-of-the-art R134a/CO₂ cascade system in its new supermarket in Stuttgart.

A developed society cannot function without refrigeration. At home, in food production and storage (e.g. frozen foods, yogurt, and or coffee), in the production processes of the automotive or chemical-pharmaceutical industry, or for air conditioning – wherever you look, “cooling” is essential. Industrially generated “coldness” is a central pillar of modern life. In Germany, 14 % of the primary energy consumed is used for cooling purposes. Negative influences on the environment can be reduced by using natural refrigerants.

Danish manufacturer Advansor is working on the biggest CO₂ industrial refrigeration system known in the world in a lettuce plant in the Netherlands.

A new energy efficiency network within the global retail giant Metro Group is translating into a strong commitment to natural refrigerants.

The conference, taking place from 21-24 August at Heriot-Watt University on the edge of the Scottish capital, brings together HVAC&R industry experts, academics, students and other interested parties to discuss the latest technological and policy developments driving wider uptake of natural refrigerants such as hydrocarbons, CO₂ and ammonia worldwide.

French supermarket chain Carrefour is claiming average energy savings of over 45% compared to HFC systems in trials carried out in high ambients.

‘Advanced Cooling’, launched last weekend at the Clean Energy Ministerial in San Francisco, challenges governments and businesses to develop and use efficient, smart, affordable and climate-friendly cooling technologies.

CO₂ is termed a “Natural Refrigerant” because it exists in the natural environment. Release into the atmosphere from refrigeration systems has a negligible effect compared to other CO₂ sources that are driving the global warming debate. As a refrigerant, it is a manufactured product that conforms to strict purity specifications. Its physical properties require special handling.