The Turboalgor CO₂ system is a kit consisting of a number of components to be fitted inside a transcritical CO₂ refrigeration system. As such, it is intended for manufacturers of transcritical refrigeration systems.
The Turboalgor CO₂ system to be installed in the plant consists of:
• a frame on which the Free Piston Expander (FPE) complete with distribution valve (FCU) is mounted
• a static inverter to manage the oscillation frequency of the FPE
• a plate heat exchanger to superheat the flash gas
• a second heat exchanger/economiser, optional, to maximise performance
The product range covers a power range from approximately 5 kW to 100 kW electrical power; this is achieved by three basic models with different displacements that can operate individually or in parallel.
The payback-time is a function of many parameters, the most important of which are the power of the system, the number of operating hours per year, the evaporation temperature and the temperature at the gas cooler as well as the cost of electricity. Roughly speaking, the range is between one and two years.
The Turboalgor CO₂ kit can be equipped with a data acquisition system to monitor both the specific operation of the kit and the more general operation of the refrigeration system. A dedicated s/w provides the energy performance of the kit in real time as well as giving average values over freely chosen time intervals.
The kit provides good performance as long as the thermal load is greater than 50 per cent of the nominal value; for lower values, performance drops but this does not affect the reliability and life of the system.
The Turboalgor CO₂ system is designed to be operational for the entire life of the refrigeration system, i.e. approximately 20 years.
On average, elastomer or plastic seals that are contained in the FPE must be replaced every two years.
The system can continue to operate without any limitations; of course, the energy benefits associated with it are no longer present.
The kit operates in both cases; it should be noted that in the case of the subcritical cycle, as the temperature at the outlet of the condenser/gas cooler is lower, there is a reduction in its performance.
The Turboalgor CO₂ kit has no lubrication system as the oil in the refrigeration circuit is sufficient for the proper functioning of the moving parts.
Electricity is needed for the motor that moves the distribution valve; the power required is less than 100 W (one light bulb).
The kit is intended for manufacturers of refrigeration systems using HFO refrigerants or Hydrocarbons respectively.
The system to be installed in the plant consists of:
• a hermetic container inside which the turbocharger is located
• two plate heat exchangers
• two thermostatic valves
• two solenoid valves
The operating logic, given its simplicity, can be incorporated into the operating logic of the refrigeration system.
The general design of the Turboalgor technology has been done for both hydrocarbons and HFOs; optimisation, consisting of customisation of the turbocharger scoops, will be done according to the refrigerants that will achieve the greatest market penetration.
The kit can be used for system electrical powers of around 10 kW electrical power and above. Power ratings below 10 kW have paybacks long enough that their use is not justified; power ratings above 120 kW electric can be met by putting several Turboalgor systems in parallel.
The pay-back is a function of many parameters, the most important of which are the power of the system, the number of operating hours per year, the evaporation and condensation temperatures, and the cost of electricity. Roughly speaking, the range is between one and three years.
A data acquisition system was developed to monitor both the specific operation of the Turboalgor system and the more general operation of the refrigeration system. A dedicated s/w provides the energy performance of the kit in real time as well as giving average values over freely chosen time intervals.
The kit provides good performance as long as the thermal load is greater than 50 per cent of the nominal value; for lower values, performance drops but this does not affect the reliability and life of the system.
The kit is designed for a life of 20 years with an average operation of 4000 hours/year.
The only preventive maintenance relates to the electrical parts of the solenoid valves.
Turboalgor is the company at the head of COLD ENERGY, a project financed by the European Community with the aim of reducing consumption and emissions and improving the efficiency of cooling systems.
Turboalgor contributes to increasing the competitiveness of European companies in the refrigeration industry.
Using cutting-edge technology, Turboalgor is able to cut carbon emissions, in line with EU directives.
With its three application solutions, Turboalgor can intervene on both new and existing systems.