Low charge ammonia refrigeration systems, ammonia in commercial applications and the case of 61% reduced energy costs for a leading food processor thanks to the installation of an industrial ammonia heat pump are just some of the topics covered during case study sessions at ATMOsphere America 2012 this June.

Taking place on 12-13 June 2012 in Washington DC, ATMOsphere America will bring together leading experts to discuss not just the latest market trends, end user views or regulatory issues, but also the latest technology trends in the US and Canada. ammonia21.com gives a first overview of the ammonia related case studies that will be presented at the event:

• Industrial Ammonia Heat Pumps in Food Processing by Sam Gladis, Emerson/Vilter: Leading food processor Krafts Food has installed an industrial ammonia heat pump at one of its US food processing facilities as a sustainable alternative to the use of fossil fuels for sanitary hot water production. Renewing the use of the heat rejected from their ammonia refrigeration system, the industrial heat pump reduced Krafts’ heating energy costs by 61%, reduced site energy consumption for heating by more than 79%, reduced condenser water consumption by 15 million gallons per year, and delivers a host of additional operational and maintenance savings. This case study will provide a description of the project, the expected results and savings, a detailed system description, experience with the operation and maintenance of the system, actual results, recommendations and conclusions.

• Innovation in Low Charge, Packaged Ammonia Refrigeration Systems for Temperature Controlled Storage and HVAC Applications by Rob Lamb, Star Refrigeration: Star’s case studies about low charge, high efficiency packaged ammonia cooling solutions for three different applications will demonstrate the viability and operational benefits of this ammonia technology applicable to the North American market. ‘Critical charge’ system designs have reduced ammonia charges in excess of 80%. The use of inverted technology and developments in heat exchanger technology have ensured that efficiencies match and surpass those of traditional pumped circulation and flooded solutions. The presentation will show best practice using case studies relevant for the North American market.

• Latest Ultra Low Charge Ammonia Shell and Tube Evaporator by Zahid Ayub, Isotherm: The presentation will show results from a low charge ammonia evaporator that has been developed to cool process fluid on the tube side. Ammonia is expanded on the shell side. The evaporator incorporates multi-stage distribution mechanism that results in even distribution of refrigeration along the bundle height resulting in thin film evaporation. The first commercial unit was installed on board a commercial fishing vessel in Chile. The chiller was designed for a capacity of 385 kW and the total refrigerant charge in the system is less than 18 kg. With several other projects in the commissioning phase, Mr Ayub will explain the strong relevance for North America as regards the reduction of the ammonia charge to extreme minimum so the safety issue will be scaled down.

• Ammonia/CO₂ Cascade Refrigeration System at a Defence Commissary Agency Project by Rob Arthur CTA Architects Engineers: The goal of the project was to develop a commercial refrigeration system that was more energy efficient and more environmentally friendly then the standard refrigeration systems being used in U.S. grocery stores today. The ammonia/CO2 cascade system is predicted to be at a minimum 10% more energy efficient with very little global warming potential and no ozone depletion potential. Project sponsor is the Department of Energy through the Commercial Building Partnership programme that is managed by National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL).

• SUPERVALU’s Development of Next Generation Refrigeration Systems: Application of Ammonia, CO₂, and Propane by Richard Heath, SUPERVALU and and Jim Armer, CTA Architects Engineers: In late July of 2012, SUPERVALU will be opening their first complete natural refrigeration store in US. Through application of original technologies and innovations with the natural refrigerants ammonia, carbon dioxide, and propane, an industry influencing solution will be available. An on‐site comparison will be made between the ammonia primary system and a redundant R407A primary system. The result from this comparison will allow SUPERVALU and the industry to understand the achievable balance of Total Equivalent Warming Impact (TEWI), equipment and operating costs, maintenance considerations, and repeatability.

• Products innovations in the field of natural refrigerants for North America, by Marc-André Lesmerises, Carnot: The presentation will highlight results of two recent projects. The first project will show a highly efficient ammonia/CO₂ system in a distribution centre with reduced refrigerant charge and low system cost. Efficiency numbers, cost and general results will be presented. The second project together with leading Canadian supermarket retailer Sobeys will demonstrate how to introduce leading edge CO₂ as primary fluid technologies and practices for refrigeration system design and operation. This presentation will show the real energy consumption data and the potential the systems have for other stores in North America.

• Safe ammonia system design in large applications, by Alexander Cohr Pachai, Johnson Controls: This paper is about a selected number of installations using different natural refrigerant solutions in different applications in the US including an ice cream factory that has been equipped by JCI. It uses 80 tons of ammonia in the new installation and 30 tons in the old part of the buildings located close to a residential area. Another application presented will highlight results of using new equipment in a cascade system.

More information about the event
See the preliminary programme
Register for ATMOsphere America 2012