As the price of R-22 continues to skyrocket, refrigerant users and equipment owners are ramping up their system change out and/or refrigerant conversion efforts. For some, depending upon the specific application, moving away from R-22 can mean substantial energy savings.
ICOR International, the Indianapolis-based refrigerant manufacturer, recently reported the results of one such case study.
According to ICOR sources, when replacing R-22 with ICOR’s One Shot®C (R-422C), in a low or medium temp refrigeration application, equipment owners are experiencing a dramatic drop in energy use.
“Along with rendering their systems non-ozone depleting, the equipment owner can save dollars on their power bills and lower their facilities carbon footprint,” reports Gordon McKinney, ICOR vice president. “For food storage and distribution industry grocers) who operate traditionally and on very slim margins, the dollar savings is a welcome side benefit to going green,” McKinney says.
In the study in question, the owner of a Super Valu® grocery store used ICOR’s One Shot to improve bottom line savings. The store’s system was a Hussman model that operated on two Copeland compressors. Prior to converting the system from R-22 to One Shot, the operating conditions were recorded, the existing R-22 refrigerant was recovered to EPA guidelines, and the power elements on the thermostatic expansion valves (TXVs) were changed to One Shot-rated elements. The original system lubricant was mineral oil; no unnecessary oil change was required.
After converting the system to One Shot, while closely following ICOR’s conversion guidelines, the operating conditions were recorded and compared to the pre-conversion data.
“The individual compressors show an increase in capacity and efficiency at all condensing temperatures calculated. The increases in capacity and efficiency are the same for both compressors respectively,” McKinney reports.
The additional capacity allowed one 5HP compressor to idle, saving around 5000 watts continuously. At the lower condensing temperatures the total of the three remaining compressors with One Shot exceeds the total of four with R-22. Reaching set point will occur quicker, contributing to increased energy savings, according to McKinney. The system’s overall performance was more than favorable and all parties involved consider the conversion a total success.
To read more comprehensive One Shot case studies or for additional information on ICOR International’s products and services, go to icorinternational .com or call ICOR’s Tech-2-Tech hotline at 866/433-TECH (8324).