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Europe // End User
Ammonia/CO2/ Glycol System Saves Belgian Store Up To 42% on Energy Bill A family-owned Delhaize supermarket chooses unusual natural refrigeration system instead of CO 2.
D
elhaize store owner Luc Bormans joined a select group of food retailers by installing an ammonia /C O 2 /glycol system at a new store in Rhisnes, Wallonia (Belgium) last year, rather than a far more commonly used transcritical CO 2 system or f-gas system.
— By Zita Laumen The ammonia/CO2 /glycol system has been saving Bormans a considerable amount of money in energy consumption. At his 800m2 (8,611ft2) store in Rhisnes, Bormans was able to reduce his overall annual electrical energy consumption from 500-600kWh/m2 (46-56kWh/ft 2), which is typical for similar stores using f-gases, to a maximum of 350kWh/m2 (32kWh/ft2), a savings of up to 42%. This was largely thanks to the natural refrigeration system, insulating the building and pipes, and installing LED lighting, as well as rotating doors and efficient isothermal rooms.
Firstly, we wanted a refrigerant that was neutral in terms of CO2 emissions. Then came the safety aspect and the energy savings. — Luc Bormans, Delhaize store owner
Accelerate Magazine // October 2019
The significant energy savings means that he will be able to recoup the premium paid for the complete ammonia system compared to a transcritical CO 2 system (including refrurbishment work) in four years – and just 2.5 years for the central refrigeration equipment. Because they use ammonia (though not inside the store), ammonia/CO 2 / glycol or ammonia/CO 2 systems are rarely used around the world, despite
their considerable energy savings and excellent safety and performance record. (See sidebar, page 47.) The Bormans family has an “affiliated” status with Delhaize (part of the Ahold Delhaize Group) but is otherwise entirely independent. As such, they could select an ammonia/CO 2 /glycol system for their new store. Bormans’ two other Delhaize stores rely on f-gas refrigerants. According to Bormans, his motivation for opting for this specific system was based on three key factors: “Firstly, we wanted a refrigerant that was neutral in terms of CO 2 emissions,” he explained. “Then came the safety aspect and the energy savings.”
Multiple suppliers Each segment of the ammonia/CO 2 / glycol system had a different supplier. French manufacturer Engie Axima built the ammonia circuit (and installed the entire refrigeration system). Profroid (a part of Carrier) manufactured the CO 2 circuit, while George Fisher supplied the glycol equipment. Ammonia is the high-side refrigerant, confined to the plant room. Glycol is used to cool medium-temperature cases, while CO 2 serves low-temperature cases. Heat is recovered from the condensers.
