EPA OKs Use of CO2 for Supermarket Coolers
Hill Phoenix has received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to use carbon dioxide as a replacement for hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) in retail refrigeration.
The green light came under the EPA's Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program, which evaluates alternatives to substances being phased out to protect the stratospheric ozone layer.
"We thank Hill Phoenix for their leadership in submitting a SNAP application and for their cooperation during our review. I am glad to see [the company's] continued leadership in the supermarket industry in providing options that protect the ozone layer and significantly reduce impacts on the climate," said Drusilla Hufford, director of EPA's Stratospheric Protection Division. "I am also proud of the fact that a GreenChill Partner has taken the lead in the industry to make sure that food retailers continue to have as many options as possible for environmental improvements."
The company conducted lab and field testing for more than a year before submitting its SNAP application and will continue to test CO2 in projects this fall. It will begin offering CO2 as a refrigerant option in both its Second Nature® low temperature and medium temperature products in late 2009.
As well as replacing ozone-depleting R-22, CO2 can be used to replace R-507A or R-404A, HFCs that are commonly used in large amounts as a secondary refrigerant in retail refrigeration.
"In typical direct expansion refrigeration systems, the field-installed piping used to distribute HFCs inherently leaks, with significant refrigerant emissions through joints and valves. In fact, the average supermarket leak rate is around 20 to 25 percent per year. That amount of refrigerant leaking into the atmosphere contributes to global warming," explains Hinde.
Hill Phoenix Inc., a Dover Company, is based in Conyers, Ga. The company designs and manufactures commercial refrigerated display cases and specialty products, refrigeration systems, integrated power distribution systems and walk-in coolers and freezers.