The company has announced that it has received approval from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use carbon dioxide as a replacement for hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFCs) in retail refrigeration. EPA acceptance will allow the industry to dramatically lower the global warming potential of both low and medium temperature refrigeration systems.

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 Hill Phoenix’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."

Hill Phoenix conducted lab and field testing for more than a year before submitting its SNAP application and will continue to test carbon dioxide in projects this autumn. It will begin offering carbon dioxide 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, carbon dioxide 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 and significant contributors to global warming. “Carbon dioxide is an excellent refrigerant with superior thermodynamic and transport properties, compared to the HFCs in use today,” says David Hinde, Hill Phoenix’s manager of research & development. “It will not only significantly reduce the potential for global warming, but the refrigeration systems that incorporate carbon dioxide will also see a reduction in energy consumption.”

By replacing the HFCs with carbon dioxide as the secondary heat transfer fluid, a supermarket’s display cases and walk-in freezers will be able to utilise this natural refrigerant to chill perishable products while dramatically lowering the release of ozone-depleting refrigerants. “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% per year. That amount of refrigerant leaking into the atmosphere contributes to global warming,” explains Hinde. But, says Hinde, by using carbon dioxide, refrigeration systems will be able to reduce HFC refrigerant leaks as well as reduce the HFC charge anywhere from 60 to 90 percent. The sustainability savings that will result from the elimination of refrigeration leaks that occur over time will be equivalent to more than 1,600 tons of carbon emissions over 10 years.

While Hill Phoenix was the first to receive SNAP approval for carbon dioxide use in supermarkets as a replacement for HCFCs, the company believes it benefits the entire industry because all manufacturers can apply the technology. “Many supermarket and supercentre customers are already working hard to reduce their carbon footprint,” notes Scott Martin, director of sustainable technologies for the company. “Carbon dioxide technology gives them one more choice to help achieve their sustainability goals.”

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