As a result of changes in the market, research was initiated into MicroGroove smaller diameter inner grooved copper tubes. Many hurdles were overcome in bringing new products to market. Ultimately, the technology has been proven and is now widely employed in the mass production of air conditioners.
A summary of the first eight years of MicroGroove technology appears in the current issue of International Appliance Manufacturing.Yet, as the old proverb says, “Nothing succeeds like success.”
Market conditions spurred manufacturers to rethink their coil designs for many types of commercial and residential appliances. MicroGroove smaller-diameter tubes offer many advantages: improved system efficiency, reduced refrigerant volume, tolerance of higher pressures, less system weight and compact coil designs.
Here are two recently delivered research findings. The research is motivated by the desires to improve on existing MicroGroove AC applications; and to ready MicroGroove technology for new applications.
ATMO debut
MicroGroove made its debut at an ATMOsphere event this year both as a sponsor and a presenter. Around 200 HVAC&R stakeholders gathered at ATMOsphere America 2013 in Washington, D.C. to discuss the business case for natural refrigerants in the U.S. and Canada and the gamechanging role North America could assume in the mainstreaming
of natural refrigerant technologies.
Representatives from over 100 different companies and organizations engaged in lively discussions and debates about the latest natural refrigerant market developments, as well as the regulatory and economic barriers that still need to be overcome. Leading suppliers presented their latest technology case studies; consumer-goods brands and industrial end-users spoke about their experiences with CO2, ammonia and hydrocarbons; and representatives from different governmental bodies addressed recent regulatory developments in both the U.S. and Canada.
One of the main conclusions drawn from ATMOsphere America 2013 was that natural refrigerants are not just beneficial for the environment; they can also be very efficient, safely operable and economically viable, and they are ripe for expansion in the North American market.
ICA case study on R290
The technology case study titled “Developing a Low Charge R290 Air Conditioner Using Smaller Diameter Copper Tubes” was presented by John Hipchen, President of Exel Consulting on behalf of Wenson Zheng, Deputy Director of Technology for ICA. The ICA-sponsored research project involved the development of a split air-conditioning systems with 5-mm MicroGroove copper tubes in the evaporator and 7-mm MicroGroove copper tubes in the condenser.
As a result of using the smaller diameter copper tubes, the refrigerant
charge in the evaporator was only a fraction of the total refrigerant charge. Furthermore, without compromising the performance, the total charge was substantially reduced compared to product designs using larger diameter copper tubes.
The ICA-sponsored research results were of special interest to product design engineers from companies looking ahead toward the adoption of hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide as refrigerants.
“Heat transfer engineers at the major OEMs are discovering that smaller is better when it comes to air-conditioners, heat pumps and refrigeration systems operating efficiently with eco-friendly refrigerants. ICA members are ready to deliver MicroGroove tubes in volume just as the design engineers seek to overcome barriers to the adoption of economical and eco-friendly refrigerants,” says Nigel Cotton, MicroGroove Team Leader for the International Copper Association.
The ICA presentation by John Hipchen as well as all other conference
presentations can be downloaded directly from the ATMO website (www.atmo.org/media.presentation.php?id=270). The ICA presentation can also be found online at microgroove.net.
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http://www.microgroove.net/sites/default/files/microgroove_nl_update_3.pdf
