Measures go from the use of photovoltaic plates to measures for the control and use of components with higher efficiency. It could always get worse. If the high energy costs, with ever-increasing signs of becoming scarce, were already aiming to higher numbers, it is skyrocketing.
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the US insistence on choking the alleged China-Russia alliance through NATO is destabilizing the world and making prices skyrocket in an economy that was already trembling.
commercial refrigeration
The HVAC-R industry is feeling the blow directly. Particularly commercial refrigeration will face the ever-increasing need to ascertain their management and follow-up systems. And, next to projects with higher complexity, seek equipment with higher efficiency.
“The relevance of energy costs in facilities that have refrigeration turns the management and follow-up into a critical point. The solution is to get equipment for these objectives, starting from good projects, adequate investment decisions, and effective follow-up of the day-to-day consumption,” recommends Luiz Villaca from RAC Brasil.
EC fans
A heart of refrigerating systems, compressors gains critical importance for the facility’s efficiency
Fernando Vanzetta, Director from Brahex, on his part defends other measures. “Apart from using renewable energy sources such as solar panels, in the control part, you can use EC fans that reduce the power consumption when the load reduces.”
A heart of refrigerating systems, compressors gains critical importance for the facility’s efficiency. However, there is no “one recipe for all.”
Compressor characteristics
“Different compressor types have specific construction characteristics that make them more, or less adequate for specific applications. The capacity to deliver the same cold, with higher energy efficiency for a specific application is one of those adaptation dimensions."
"This is, of course, depending on the application. A dual-stage compressor for example may be substantially more economic than a simple-stage compressor in applications that require temperatures below -30ºC (-22ºF),” explains Villaca.
low power consumption
"If compressors are the heart of the systems, we cannot leave out other vital organs. In that sense, any project that aims for low power consumption must consider the heat exchangers, always specified by the required characteristics."
“Our micro-channels heat exchangers, apart from reducing the load of refrigerating gas making it possible to use propane, also reduce the loss of power in the fan, bringing a reduction in the power consumption,” defends Vanzetta.
Energy and cost savings
Insulation, often neglected, are critical for the system’s power efficiency
Insulation, often neglected, are critical for the system’s power efficiency. According to André Dickert, from Armacell, these materials are components that contribute significantly to reducing energy costs and increasing efficiency in refrigeration systems.
He stated, “AF/Armaflex® BR thermal insulation, due to their low thermal conductivity, contributes to the energy economy and increases the system’s operational efficiency, by reducing the heat gains or losses, helping in the conservation of power through the maintenance of the operational temperature of the facility within the determined values in the project and, consequently, avoiding a demand over the limits of the other components in the system, which would lead to a reduction in their shelf lives, to keep the facility running.”
Advantages
The Armacell technician also adds other advantages to the materials. “Besides what was mentioned, they are flexible materials, which eases their handling and installation, and they also have a closed cellular structure, which gives it an effective steam barrier along its entire thickness, giving them a high resistance factor against water vapor diffusion (m), way above the minimum defined by Ashrae as vapor retardants, Class I or vapor barriers (“m” ≥ 1.300) dismissing the use of any other additional layer for a vapor barrier.”
“Due to its high resistance to water vapor diffusion (m), they do not add high humidity indexes as time goes by, and with this apart from minimizing the corrosion under insulation risks, they help mainly on a good Internal Air Quality.
Applications
"Since they do not contribute to the development of fungi and bacteria colonies, aligned with the fact that they do not release any kind of fibers, particles or substances that may cause health risks and/or contribute to the facility’s and processes contamination."
They are ideal for applications in internal environments where such characteristics are demanded"
"They are ideal for applications in internal environments where such characteristics are demanded, such as the food industry, pharmaceutical industry, packaging, hospitals, clean rooms, among others,” concludes Dickert.
Solution for energy efficiency
With several years of presenting at fairs abroad, Full Gauge has perceived the constant concern of the market with developing solutions aimed towards energy efficiency.
Some of them are already available in Brazil through Full Gauge Controls, such as electronic expansion valves (Valex line), smart controllers (Rackontrol line), variable speed compressor controllers (+ECO line), software for facilities management (Sitrad PRO), and others.
Energy consumption
They are products that contribute to reducing energy consumption in facilities and equipment, but they are not widely used locally.
This may be due to the lack of technical knowledge or due to the myth that was generated which said they were “expensive equipment”, but in truth, they represent a minimum cost in medium/large size projects, and they are paid in few months with all the benefits and safety they offer. Small attitude changes and investments make a huge difference in our lives and future generations.
