Embraco, Hussmann turn to natural refrigerant propane

Embraco, a global company that promotes quality of life through innovative cooling solutions, showcased its vision for the future of refrigeration with energy-efficient offerings compatible with natural refrigerant propane (R290). The company exhibited at the AHR Expo in Atlanta.

Embraco’s full motion variable speed compressor. Photo courtesy of Embraco

Embraco uses natural refrigerants in its compressor portfolio for commercial food service, food retail, merchandisers and aftermarket segments as an alternative to reduce the negative effects on the ozone layer, greenhouse effects and to improve the equipment’s efficiency index. The company believes using natural refrigerants – especially hydrocarbons – is the ideal solution for the future of refrigeration by sustainably aligning economic and environmental needs.

“With the U.S. light commercial refrigeration market already migrating to natural refrigerant (R290), sustainable solutions are becoming mainstream,” says Marek Zgliczynski, director of research and development at Embraco North America. “Moving to natural refrigerants not only helps with compliance of future standards, but it also makes it easier to service equipment and be more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.”

Hussmann Corp. unveiled a refrigeration system charged with environmentally safe propane (R290). The new line, Hussmann’s microDS, is available for low- and medium-temperature merchandisers, the kind consumers would commonly see inside a grocery store used to refrigerate perishable foods.

Hussmann’s microDS refrigeration system is charged with up to 150 grams, or 5.3 ounces, of propane. The amount of propane used in the microDS system is 90-95 percent less refrigerant than is typically required in other refrigeration systems that are charged by hydrofluorocarbons, says Richard Gilles, senior product leader for Hussmann’s Distributed Systems Group.