DKV meeting: Latest heating and cooling trends

German and international experts discussed on 22-23 November in Hannover updates to different heating and cooling technologies. Visteon presented new results on improved efficiency of R744 car air conditioning in small cars.

Almost 700 participants discussed latest trends in air conditioning, refrigeration and heating techniques at the Annual meeting of the German Association of Heating and Cooling, DKV (Deutsche Kälte und Klimatechnischer Verein). The event, held in Hannover on 22-23 November, offered 120 presentations on a wide variety of issues, covering all segments, from residential to industrial and commercial applications.

Commercial refrigeration

A session on supermarket refrigeration focused on the implementation of the EU F-Gas Regulation, which imposes restrictions on the use of current refrigerants to minimize their environmental impact. Retailers and suppliers presented their views on the progress so far in Germany. In its presentation, the REWE Group referred to the industry expectations to move towards R744-based refrigeration, with various ongoing projects showing high potential.

In parallel sessions, the focus was on updates on alternative technologies, such as absorption refrigeration.

Mobile Air Conditioning

A full session was dedicated to car air conditioning. Presentations ranged from the improvement of components, such as heat exchangers or compressors, to the optimization of full MAC systems, based on different types of refrigerant.

Presenting its latest results from wind tunnel testing, Visteon showed improved efficiency of an R744-based MAC in small vehicle compared to an HFC-134a one, even at high ambient temperatures of 43 °C. The impact of pressure loses in the R134a system would explain this difference in efficiency, according to Visteon.

Heat Pumps

Among the presentations were:

• CO₂ Heat Pumps for heating of residential buildings with improved insulation (TLK-Thermo)
• CO₂ Scroll Compressor with Increased Performance for Cooling and Heat Pump applications (Copeland)
• High efficient heat exchangers for Heat Pumps (Alfa Laval)