2008
Decision to Test Non-Freon Energy-Saving Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning System in Convenience Stores
June 17, 2008
Sanden Corporation was selected for Development of Non-Freon Energy-saving Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Project of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) and has conducted full-scale development since 2005.
This research development is now complete, and the decision has been made to test the system mainly in a major chain of convenience stores.
This non-Freon energy-saving refrigeration and air-conditioning system achieved a solution to the outstanding problem of the avoiding the use of Freon by using a new brine system and cooling system based on the use of ammonia coolants*.
The system thus has reached the final stage of practical use and market entry both as an environmentally friendly eco-system and a highly economical freezer / refrigerator show case cooling system.
The system is adaptable to almost any equipment used in the retail industry, including freezers and refrigerators used in supermarkets and drugstores.
Also controlling the system together with an air conditioning system overall will lower power usage in the store overall, allowing a comprehensive energy-saving system for all business environments.
*What is an Ammonia / Brine System?
The system uses brine solution to bring heat generated in the freezing cycle within the store.
This allows the system to act as a heat source to maintain a stable store temperature.
This brine solution is composed of safe materials certified for use as a food additive.
In 2006, Sanden completed the establishment of an experimental wing in its Akagi Office, with the support of NEDO, allowing experiments to simulate all the temperature and humidity environments prevalent in Japan.
Repeated experiments have been carried out in this experimental wing to simulate all possible environmental conditions, allowing the level of technology development to become practical, commercial one at a fast pace.
In addition to this series of coolant technology, the use of our “Store Master” in-store automatic temperature and humidity optimization system (winner of the Japan Federation of Mechanical Technology Industry Chairman’s Award)
at the core of the control functions aims to realize maximum energy-saving effectiveness through a comprehensive control system for freezer / refrigerator show cases and freezers.
We are certain that this system is indispensable to the distribution and retail industries, which are faced by the twin problems of environmental responsiveness and making energy savings.
In regards to the distribution industry, if this system were put into place in the convenience store industry as a whole (42,000 stores),
which plays a major role in environmental responsiveness, including CO2 reductions, the change to non-usage of Freon and power savings of 15% compared to fiscal 2001 would reduce CO2 emissions by 400,000 tons annually.
In terms of construction also, the use of plastic pipes renders the gas welding used for the conventional copper pipes unnecessary.
Construction without the use of fire allows improved construction requirements and safety.
This also saves time when remodeling stores for the system, reducing loss of sales opportunities and providing the benefits of improved store administration.
Sanden Corporation will continue to make final confirmation of the non-Freon energy-saving refrigeration and air-conditioning system under its fully formed production / sales / construction / maintenance infrastructure,
in preparation for the beginning of market sales in June 2009.
