Eureka moment displaces old fridge technology
15 Jan 2000
A breakthrough in refrigeration technology uses air as a refrigerant to economically produce refrigeration at low temperatures from -50 degrees C to 100 degrees C.
Air Products made its discovery during cryogenic research. R & D engineer Colin Smith explains that increased confidence in high pressure systems, high efficiency heat exchangers and turbo compressors made the breakthrough possible. Smith calls it a `Eureka moment' when it was realised air refrigerant produces the required power efficiency at low temperatures and can replaceammonia or CFCs.
A 210Kw CCAR system (Closed Cycle Air Refrigeration) at -100 degrees F is half the size of an ammonia system. A CCAR System is in operation at Kodak production facility in Rochester, NY.
