China Refrigeration: Walking on the CO₂ path - Part I

The world’s third largest trade show for heating and cooling was, as expected, dominated by solutions for conventional refrigerants. However, a surprising number of global players presented CO₂ components set to be sold on the Chinese market in a few years time. In a technical seminar, Bitzer updated Chinese experts on latest developments regarding CO₂ compressors.

At the China Refrigeration, held last week from 5-7 April in Guangzou, companies known to be involved in CO₂, nearly animously agreed that the natural refrigerant would certainly be a solution to be taken to the Chinese market in the near future. At present however, and also looking at cost cutting tendencies in the industry, CO₂ would remain mainly in the testing phase, with commercialisation to be expected over the next few years.

Technical Seminar on CO₂ compressors

In its technical presentation to around 100 industry experts and engineers, German compressor manufacturer Bitzer updated on the performance and operation of its CO₂ range. In a packed room, Bitzer representatives from China started off by explaining basic characteristics of R744, its behaviour compared to R22 or R404a, differences between transcritical and subcritical operation, and the compact design of CO₂ compressors. The compressor maker then went on to elaborate on the different system layouts used with R744, specific design options, and efficiency comparisons between the natural and chemical refrigerants.

Participants were highly interested in technical details regarding high-pressure R744 systems. Lively discussions centred around the questions of oil return, the materials used for CO₂ compressors, the preferred hybrid systems used in European supermarkets, and better cooling systems in a Chinese test system using R404a-R744.

CO₂ components on display

Danfoss: With no CO₂ compressors on display, the Danish manufacturer confirms that the market for R744 is still small. So far, Danfoss has served high-end consumers such as Coca-Cola which used their solutions in vending machines and bottle coolers at last year’s Beijing Olympics. However, its “Adapkool” solution also suitable for R744 commercial refrigeration systems is presented. For now, the Chinese market is served a medium-market version while the high-end product is sold worldwide. Danfoss-Sanhua Micro Channel Heat Exchanger Co., a joint venture of Danfoss and local manufacturer Sanhua, expects the production of CO₂ heat exchangers to start next year, as CO₂ “is the future of refrigeration”.

Dorin: Italian compressor maker Dorin has, by far, the most obvious booth dedicated to CO₂ Technology. While supermarkets are “far from coming”, Dorin expects the Chinese’ high interest in heat pumps to allow for an early market entry of R744 in China. The company is now looking at potential partners to further develop its CO₂ product range. So far, it has delivered 15-20 compressors to heat pumps in China. Dorin also talks about the first “green flag” in China, as the first CO₂ supermarket is underway, with a Sanyo-Dalian system using R744.  

Bitzer: In line with its technical seminar on the use of R744 compressors, the German company with offices in China displays two of its CO₂ Octagon models. This is to show its technological leadership more than to demonstrate the commercial importance of R744. Yet, Bitzer expects the market to grow over the next years.

Bock: This time, Bock has not brought any CO₂ compressor models to China. However, the company confirms that it has already delivered 5-6 R744 compressors to Chinese partners for testing.

Carel: The Italian manufacturer of expansion valves is displaying its “CO₂ Ready” valves for supermarket applications. Although R744 is not yet popular in China, Carel expects new markets to open up soon as the price for CO₂ components goes down. A large number of universities is using Carel’s valves to explore the use of R744.

Kaori: The Taiwanese manufacturer of heat exchangers is presenting its new CO₂ model for high-pressure applications in Guangzhou. For now, Japanese hot water heat pumps remain the major application for Kaori’s product. The Chinese market is expected to develop slowly, but Kaori is already working closely with universities testing CO₂ Technology.

Embraco: The Brazilian compressor expert is displaying its CO₂ model for light-commercial applications, including vending machines.

Established CO₂ solution providers Frascold, SWEP, Grundfos, Hydro Aluminium, and Kavlico explain that there are no R744 products displayed at the China Refrigeration nor offered on the Chinese market yet.