|
CARRIER
LAUNCHES WORLD’S FIRST R410A CHILLER FOR
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
The Carrier AquaSnap Puron is the
first air-cooled chiller for large commercial applications designed
specifically to operate with refrigerant R410A. Confirming Carrier’s role
as the industry innovator, this new range combines a host of innovative
features – in total sixteen patents have been applied for.
Based on the concept of the highly
successful AquaSnap range, the new, more powerful AquaSnap Puron covers
the capacity range from 190-760kW, available in cooling only or heat pump
versions. It combines the efficiency benefits and environmental
responsibility of R410A with the popular features of the groundbreaking
AquaSnap concept. This fulfils Carrier’s commitment to meet the
requirements of system designer, installer and end user, following
extensive global market research.
Puron (Carrier’s brand name for R410A), is
a safe, stable blend that has, been adopted widely over the past eight
years as the refrigerant of choice for smaller systems. R410A is not
harmful for the ozone layer and has excellent thermodynamic properties,
transferring heat more effectively than any other commonly-used
refrigerant. As an example, the use of R410A in the heat pump version of
the AquaSnap Puron translates into an excellent COP of 2.8 at full load
(nominal conditions).
The Carrier AquaSnap Puron uses rotary
scroll compressors and this is believed to be the first time that they
have been used in conjunction with R410A for
equipment of this size. The enhanced
efficiency that is the result of combining R410A refrigerant with scroll
compression enables these units to be optimised to deliver the required
capacities at reduced levels of power consumption.
To maximise efficiency at the part load
conditions that prevail for most of the year, the latest generation
patented Carrier Pro-Dialog control automatically detects and anticipates
load variations, starting up only those compressors required. Linked to
the electronic expansion valve (EXV) Pro-Dialog improves use of the
evaporator heat exchange surface to further optimise energy efficiency at
part load. The resulting very high seasonal energy efficiency ratio
(SEER) means that at part load conditions (where most chillers operate for
95% of the time) the AquaSmart Puron delivers around 4.5kW of cooling for
1kW of electricity consumed.
This chiller will be particularly
attractive to northern European markets when its integrated direct
expansion free cooling option is applied. A patented, new Carrier design,
based on the thermosyphon principle, avoids the cost pitfalls of other
systems and offers a substantial improvement in overall energy efficiency
by allowing the system to operate with water rather than the standard
glycol solution. Gas migrates naturally from the evaporator to the
condenser, transferring heat, and a small refrigerant pump keeps this flow
circulating.
Heat recovery options (total or partial)
can further increase overall system efficiency by using reclaimed heat to
generate domestic hot water.
All this results in the further
environmental benefit of contributing to a reduction in the global warming
effect caused by CO2 emissions during electricity production. It also has
implications for lifecycle costs, and will help fulfil the requirements of
the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
Throughout Europe, research shows that
low operating noise levels are high on the user priority list and the
design of the new AquaSnap Puron reflects this. Not only does the use of
rotary scroll compressors increase efficiency, their inherently smoother
operation also contributes to an acoustic performance that has been
benchmarked as offering the quietest capacity/noise ratio in its class.
The compressor chassis is isolated on flexible anti-vibration mountings,
featuring a specially designed (Carrier patented) bracket to connect the
piping support to the
compressor base to further limit noise
transmission. Additionally, the European version features an acoustically
treated compressor enclosure. The transverse
V-shape design of the condenser, with an
open angle of 50º allows even circulation over the coil surface at low
velocity for maximum efficiency and minimal noise generation.
The AquaSnap Puron incorporates the fourth
generation of Carrier’s patented Flying Bird shrouded axial fan. This has
an exceptionally aerodynamic impeller and a high efficiency motor
requiring 35% less energy than a conventional fan.
The unit’s compact footprint makes it
ideal for installation in new buildings or during the refurbishment of
existing buildings, freeing valuable floor area. There is no need for
additional plant room space for the installation of pumps, valves,
expansion vessels and other accessories as all components have been
integrated within the hydronic module, the heart of the AquaSnap concept.
Despite this, the physical size of the AquaSnap Puron remains unaltered.
This feature alone delivers considerable benefits to specifiers,
installers and building users. Not only does this ‘packaging’ simplify the
system design process, it also reduces the administration involved in
component sourcing and minimises installation complexity. For installers
there is just one ‘box’ and one set of connections. Today, a 500kW
AquaSnap Puron 410A can be operational in three days, including
installation, hydronic and electrical connections and commissioning. For
optimum system flexibility, four versions of the hydronic module are
available: low and high pressure water pump, single or dual configuration
with automatic change-over for added security.
Designing the product on a global platform
brings a raft of quality and reliability benefits. Rigorous reliability
tests are performed. For the first time in Europe, the AquaSnap Puron
chiller was tested using a unique shake-table to simulate the effects of
transportation. Machines from the range have also undergone field tests
around the world in all types of environmental conditions, over an eight
month period. The new range has reliability designed in at every stage.
The development process itself is compliant with standards that United
Technologies Corporation applies worldwide. Suppliers are assessed against
quality and reliability criteria. Component and system integrity are fully
life-cycle tested. Assembly processes are quality-controlled, with every
chiller being run-tested before it leaves the factory.
The product will be manufactured for
Europe, Middle East and Africa in France at Carrier’s Montluel plant
outside Lyon. The global platform development concept enables the same
chiller to be produced with local configurations in three other plants
around the world.
|
