Vanpraet, a well-established installation company specialising in industrial refrigeration and HVAC systems throughout Belgium, recently completed a project for the renowned wholesaler Atelier Long. Founded in 1965, the company gained new momentum after being taken over by Leo Coppens and Patrick Willocx in 2000. Since 2024, Jonas Berckmans has been at the helm, ensuring the company’s continued success. With eight technicians on the road every day for installation and repairs, Vanpraet serves an impressive portfolio of 2,200 customers and maintains no fewer than 4,300 installations.
The collaboration with Atelier Long, a renowned wholesaler in the Leuven region specialising in quality meat, poultry, exquisite game, fish and delicatessen products, is testament to the excellent service that has been maintained for many years. Fifteen years ago, Atelier Long entrusted Vanpraet with the construction of its original refrigeration plant. When Atelier Long took over the Huis Patrick establishment in Lubbeek with the ambition of transforming this business, initially focused on fish, into a multi-purpose wholesaler (fish, meat and game), a complete renovation was necessary.
A strictly separated process-flow plan
The challenge in the new building was clear: fish and meat flows must remain strictly separated at all times to avoid cross-contamination.
This therefore required a completely new flow plan for the products. This plan had to be approved by the AFSCA (Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain) before implementation could begin.
The new design includes:
- 11 cold rooms
- 3 freezers
Priority given to energy efficiency
After a basic calculation of the refrigeration charges and capacities required for each cold room and freezer, Vanpraet worked closely with the design office at HEYTEC, Climalife’s distributor.
HEYTEC, the partner of choice for cooling and HVAC installers in Belgium, advises and supports its customers at every stage of their project.
It quickly became apparent that a plant running on CO2 as a refrigerant was not feasible :
« During peak consumption periods with a CO2 plant, we would need 180 A, without even taking into account the other energy consumers in the building. However, the current maximum electrical connection is 160 A. The capacity could have been increased by installing a high-voltage cabin, but for Atelier Long, this investment of €50,000 was out of the question », explains Patrick Willocx, who is in charge of the project.
Vanpraet then turned to ultra-low GWP A2L refrigerants. Condensing units using A2L refrigerants are more energy efficient and consume less electricity. In collaboration with HEYTEC, the components and condensing units were selected based on the required power, temperature ranges and chosen A2L refrigerants to ensure maximum efficiency of the installation
For the final selection, Vanpraet and HEYTEC opted for four Bitzer condensing units to supply the 11 cold rooms, using Solstice® yf (R-1234yf) refrigerant. The three freezers were divided between two Bitzer condensing units using R-454C. Kelvion evaporators were installed in each space. The insulation panels were installed by partner company Proleco.
« By choosing refrigeration units that run on A2L refrigerants, we have a maximum power consumption of 110 A on the grid, which is well below the current connection capacity of 160 A », explains Patrick.
Condensing units rather than centralised units
Vanpraet and HEYTEC have observed a clear change in the market: the trend is shifting. Large centralised units are becoming a thing of the past, with a growing move towards several separate condensing units. For Atelier Long, the advantages were decisive:
- Operational safety: in the event of a unit failure, Atelier Long can continue to use the other cold rooms and freezers.
- Regulations: R-1234yf and R-454C comply with EU F-Gas III regulations in the long term thanks to their ultra-low GWPs of 0.501 and 146 respectively.
- Economy: the cost of installing a CO2 system is twice as high. Furthermore, the reduced fluid charge limits losses in the event of leaks.
- Energy savings: the use of different A2L condensing units offers better energy performance.
Jonas and Patrick are adamant: « There is no need to be afraid of using A2L refrigerants. In the future, we want to use more A2L condensing units in this type of project. »
All components used are suitable and approved for A2L fluids and are available directly from stock at HEYTEC, ensuring short delivery times.
This project at Atelier Long is a perfect example of how Vanpraet does not just build installations but also works with its customers to find the most sustainable, energy efficient and reliable solutions for their future.
