Thousands of HVACR contractors and industry professionals recently convened in Orlando, Florida, for the three-day AHR Expo. The annual event provided manufacturers with a platform to showcase their latest innovations, including controls, coolers, compressors, and other solutions designed for the commercial refrigeration market.
monoblock System
Embraco revealed its new monoblock concept, which is currently in development. It is a solution designed for top-mounted reach-in refrigerators that combines energy efficiency and compactness with a plug-and-play design. The solution simplifies the refrigeration system’s assembly for manufacturers, while meeting stringent Department of Energy (DOE) and National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) standards.
NEW TECHNOLOGIES: Embraco’s Michel Moreira is shown with some of the company’s latest compressors. (Courtesy of Embraco)
Achieving over 30% energy savings compared to market standards, this monoblock concept is flexible, allowing customizable configurations for condenser, evaporator, and base plate. Designed for future-proof compliance, it ensures regulatory peace of mind for manufacturers. Additionally, its adaptable concept accommodates a wide range of reach-ins, streamlining production and storage needs.
Embraco also presented its Sync it All portfolio, which powers the monoblock concept. This fully integrated suite of products combines the Embraco Sync controller, the Embraco Air Fan, YouControl development interface, and Embraco variable-speed compressors. Together, these components are synchronized with each other to enhance the system’s performance and simplify implementation.
Cooler Portfolio
Tecumseh Products Company launched its CRIOS unit cooler portfolio, which is engineered to deliver efficient performance, safety, and simplicity for walk-in cold room applications. The CRIOS portfolio caters to multiple refrigeration applications and has been developed for both current A1-class refrigerants (R-448A and R-449A), as well as next-generation A2L-class refrigerants (R-454A, R-454C, and R-455A). It is designed to match perfectly with Tecumseh’s ARGUS ½ to 12HP remote outdoor condensing unit portfolio.
The CRIOS unit cooler is available with various factory-installed options to meet specific customer and application requirements. An advanced EEV and driver option is also offered, which has been designed to provide precision temperature control and integration with system monitoring solutions. For effortless access during routing service and maintenance and maintenance, the CRIOS unit cooler portfolio features side panels and components that fit together seamlessly, complemented by a hinged drain pan.
Both CRIOS and ARGUS systems have been designed to meet UL standards and DOE’s annual energy efficiency requirements for walk-in coolers.
Refrigeration System
Heatcraft Refrigeration Products highlighted the PRO3 packaged refrigeration system, which combines a unit cooler and condensing unit into one, expediting installation time and reducing refrigerant charge. This sleek solution saves contractors time and end users money and energy, while optimizing storage space.
REFRIGERATION CONTROLLER: Heatcraft’s intelliGen Field Mount (iFM) kit is a universal field-mount refrigeration controller with temperature sensors and pressure transducer kit. (Staff photo)
The PRO3 system is designed to increase storage space inside walk-in coolers or freezers in commercial refrigeration, food service, food retail, cold storage warehouses, and process cooling applications and is ideal for small- to medium-sized restaurants and convenience stores. The system is fully assembled, evacuated, charged, run-tested, and wired at the factory, and requires no additional components.
Heatcraft also showcased its intelliGen Field Mount (iFM) kit, which is a universal field-mount refrigeration controller with temperature sensors and pressure transducer kit, allowing contractors the ability to remote mount the intelliGen electronic control solution up to 40 feet from the unit cooler. The intelliGen control for evaporators provides automatic superheat, room temperature, and intelligent defrost control capability for walk-in coolers and freezers.
Low-GWP Compressors
Copeland highlighted its expanded CO2 solutions and optimized scroll compression platforms for A2L and R-290 refrigerants. For CO2, Copeland’s line of 4-cylinder compressors for R-744 transcritical booster systems is characterized by a design operating pressure of 1,740 psig (120 bar). The company said refrigerant flow and heat transfer have been optimized for superior efficiency. All compressors are equipped with Copeland compressor electronics technology (formerly CoreSense), offering faster system troubleshooting and protection from problems before they occur.
Copeland also showcased its YF scroll compressor models, which are designed for low-temperature A2L refrigeration applications, such as walk-in and reach-in freezers. These compressors are wide-ranged, multi-refrigerant capable with lower sound and vibration and are recommended for supermarket, restaurant, and convenience store operations.
According to Copeland, its YF scroll compressor represents the latest innovation in scroll technology for refrigeration equipment from 0.75 to 9 HP (3k to 30k Btuh at standard low-temperature rating conditions). The company says it is more efficient than standard reciprocating compressors, with 70% fewer moving parts for increased reliability.
Gas Coolers
LU-VE introduced its small tube diameter CO2 gas cooler (UXV-TS091F-102-4), rated for 130 bar. With adiabatic panels, the company said the system achieves exceptional performance even in scorching conditions, which expands its application range. The cooler is coupled with high-efficiency electronic fan motors and features Whisperer Plus sound dampers, which ensure noise reduction for enhanced comfort.
HIGHER PRESSURES: LU-VE’s low-profile CO2 evaporator features small-diameter copper tubes and achieves an 85 bar working pressure as standard. (Courtesy of LU-VE)
LU-VE’s Mini-V adiabatic gas cooler is UL-listed and designed for small- to medium-sized supermarkets. With its compact design and high energy efficiency, it provides a sustainable and high-performance alternative for transcritical CO₂ refrigeration.
LU-VE also highlighted its F31HC low-profile CO2 evaporator, which features small-diameter copper tubes and achieves an 85 bar working pressure as standard (90 bar being released shortly). The company said its FHD center-mount CO2 evaporator is flexible and reliable, making it suitable for diverse refrigeration needs. The entire range is UL-listed, NSF compliant, and meets the AWEF requirements for both cooler and freezer applications. LU-VE unit coolers support a variety of refrigerants, including CO₂, Freon, brine, and other low GWP refrigerants.
CO2 Compressor
The new Danfoss HGX56 CO2 T is a transcritical, semi-hermetic, CO2 (R-744) compressor that is an optimized design solution for industrial and commercial refrigeration, including for cold storage, ice arenas, and large industrial heat pumps. The expansion to 6-cylinder capacity allows for a wider spread and faster uptake of large CO2 heat pumps and industrial refrigeration systems, along with lower system complexity and investment costs. It also provides an attractive alternative to compressors using ammonia or HFC or HFO refrigerants.
CO2 COMPRESSOR: Danfoss’ HGX56 CO2 T is a transcritical, semi-hermetic, CO2 compressor that can be used in different applications, including cold storage and ice arenas. (Courtesy of Danfoss)
According to Danfoss, the new 6-cylinder design ensures greater capacities while reducing the number of compressors. With its high efficiency and reliability, this CO2 compressor enables larger refrigeration and heat pump applications with a smaller footprint and strong energy-efficient performance. Additional benefits include low energy and operating costs (ASERCOM certified), outstanding running performance with low noise and vibration, and minimal oil carryover, with capacity up to 135 kW for cooling and 360 kW for heating.
Danfoss added that the HGX56 is an alternative to compressors that use HFC or HFO refrigerants or ammonia, and provides optimal performance at full and partial loads.