The health crisis has seen a significant drop in global emissions, but the need to fight climate change is still very much a reality. With the economy ramping back up, going back to a prepandemic way of working shouldn’t be the goal. Change is needed, and HVACR professionals must act now.
To support this vision of “green restart”, Danfoss has unveiled a number of innovations to break new ground in energy efficiency and refrigerant transition.
As high-GWP refrigerant phasedowns steadily roll on, the idea of a one-size-fits-all solution is now firmly behind us. Choosing the best approach is a delicate balancing act, weighing up safety, GWP, cost, efficiency, and availability.
The roadmap towards ultra-low-GWP
Clearly, ultra-low GWP alternatives are the only sustainable option for the long term. For Danfoss, the long-term picture involves a combination of natural refrigerants and HFOs :
– R-290 for smaller refrigeration as well as residential and light commercial A/C applications
– R-744 for commercial refrigeration and food retail
– R-717 for large industrial refrigeration applications
– Low-density HFOs : R-1234ze, R-515B and R-1233zd are already widely adopted in oil-free, screw, and centrifugal systems for large commercial A/C applications.
The Danfoss scroll compressor roadmap lays out a way for OEMs to take a lead on lowering emissions by combining energy efficient systems with lower GWP refrigerants.
For light commercial applications we are developing a new R-290 inverter range.
In light commercial and commercial A/C systems, the multi-refrigerant DSH (fixed speed scroll) and VZH (inverter scroll) ranges cover R-410A, R-452B, and R-454B, while the DSF is a dedicated R-32 range. The inverter range will be R-32-available at a later date.
A breakthrough in R-1234ze
R-1234ze is a popular ultra-low-GWP choice and with good reason. It is the least flammable A2L refrigerant, it’s highly efficient, and it’s widely available across Europe.
It’s also free of the quota mechanisms and taxations in several countries and not impacted by the EU Pressure Equipment Directive. Its availability as a R-515B blend (A1) also makes it a practical and interesting alternative for indoor uses.
But low-density refrigerants come with significant challenges to scroll design.
R-1234ze requires three times the swept volume of R-410A to reach the same capacity, and its performance is far more sensitive to pressure drop.
And Danfoss is delighted to announce a significant development in exactly this area, with its new DSG scroll compressor range.
Aimed at process chillers, comfort cooling and heat pumps from 40 to 240T (650kW to 50Hz), the DSG range is specially designed for R-1234ze.
The unique design of the scroll set, an optimized gas flow path, and new second-generation Danfoss IDVs (Intermediate Discharge Valves) all contribute to a compressor that delivers equivalent capacity to its R-410A alternative, with higher efficiency, and without an increase in footprint. And like our other compressor ranges, tandem/trio configurations are possible.
A broad operating map allows it to also target reversible applications, making it a viable choice for either cooling or heating.
The initial roll-out of the DSG range is expected in mid-2022.
A second release in 2023 will bring the possibility to reach higher condensing temperatures (with production of high temperature water up to 90°C), enabling OEMs to incorporate competitive hermetic scroll design technology into district heating, industrial heating, and heat recovery systems.
To learn more about the DSG series or other innovations, contact your Danfoss representative.