Emerson Highlights Commitment to CO2 at ATMO World Summit 2022

*On June 1, 2023 Emerson’s Climate Technologies business became a new standalone company – Copeland. Though our name has changed, we are building on more than a century of HVACR innovation and industry leadership, and Copeland continues to offer the same products, industry stewardship, and learning opportunities you’ve grown to trust. Information found on this webpage posted before June 1, 2023 may contain our old name or branding, but you can be at ease knowing it was created with the knowledge and expertise of Copeland. 

Emerson recently participated in the ATMO World Summit 2022, a 24-hour event focused on exploring developments in the uses and applications of natural refrigerants. Emily Vilardi, Emerson product marketing manager and I presented a webinar that highlighted Emerson’s commitment to CO₂ refrigeration via the launch of new products and our expanded research and development (R&D) efforts. For those unable to attend the event or our session, ATMO has made it available for free on demand.

Corporate sustainability objectives and environmental regulations are driving the adoption of refrigerants with lower global warming potential (GWP). As food retailers evaluate emerging solutions and transition to the next generation of refrigeration technologies, CO₂ transcritical booster systems offer a proven, natural alternative. Although this innovative system architecture uses CO₂ (refrigerant name R-744) for both medium- (MT) and low-temperature (LT) refrigeration loads, it introduces a whole new approach to refrigeration for many end users and technicians.

Emily and I discussed how Emerson is committed to helping facilitate this transition by simplifying the application of CO₂ refrigeration through the seamless integration of system components. We focused on three primary areas: compression and variable frequency drives (VFDs), controls and software, and R&D lab investments.

CO₂ compression and VFD technology

For the MT transcritical portion of a CO₂ transcritical booster system, Emerson offers the Copeland™ 4MTLS transcritical CO₂ semi-hermetic compressor in nine displacements from 40,000 to 300,000 BTUs at 60 Hz. These four-cylinder compressors feature onboard diagnostics and have a capacity range from 17.5 to 354 MBH at 20 °F evaporating, 95 °F gas cooler outlet at 60 Hz. In addition, they can be paired with Copeland VFDs, EVM/EVH Series to enable variable-capacity modulation. EVM/EVH drives offer the security of providing 200 percent maximum overload protection for two seconds.

On the LT side, Emerson offers the Copeland ZO(D) subcritical CO₂ scroll compressors: ZO for fixed capacity and ZOD (digital) for variable-capacity modulation or their ability to unload capacity down to 10 percent. For example, the ZOD34 is rated for a 34,000 BTU displacement that can modulate (or unload) its capacity to 3,000 BTUs. These subcritical digital scrolls offer a smaller, lighter-weight footprint and don’t require VFDs for capacity modulation. In addition, Copeland MSLS subcritical semi-hermetic compressors are available in displacements from 60,000 to 180,000 BTUs, have a range of 25 to 70 Hz, and are rated for very high standstill pressures.

Integrated CO₂ controls

CO₂ transcritical booster systems rely heavily on electronic controls to optimize system installation, integrate with cases and high-pressure valves (HPVs), and manage system pressures. Emily explained Emerson’s integrated approach to CO₂ controls that enables seamless communication and enhanced visibility to all aspects of system operation.

The soon-to-be released Lumity™ supervisory control for CO₂ applications will expand upon the legacy E2e control to offer enhanced CO₂ capabilities, reduce programming complexities, and simplify system management via:

• • Centralized CO₂ suction group control for transcritical booster and parallel compression
  • Advanced compressor superheat management for liquid or hot gas injection
  • Precise load management and automatic recovery from out-of-range conditions
  • Enhanced CO₂ system monitoring for system insights
  • Oil management for long compressor life

The Lumity E3-CO₂ will also leverage the many benefits of the new E3 platform, including: a built-in touchscreen, remote mobile access, and a greatly improved user interface (UI) that brings all critical CO₂ system monitoring into one unified view. The control will integrate seamlessly with Emerson’s high-pressure controller and valve driver (XEV20), the soon-to-be released Lumity CC200 case controller, the XM600 series case controllers, and leak detection devices (RLDS and MRLDS).

Investing in the future of CO₂

In the ATMO webinar, I also elaborated on how Emerson is helping our customers to prepare for the future of CO₂ refrigeration though continued lab investments and R&D efforts. In addition to the CO₂ transcritical booster system that has been installed at The Helix Innovation Center since 2016, we’ve recently dedicated more than 100,000 square feet to a CO₂-specific supermarket test lab in our facility in Sidney, Ohio. This new lab will be launched this summer and feature:

• • 18 display cases from five different manufacturers
  • Walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer
  • Dry gas and adiabatic gas coolers on the roof
  • Wide range of high-ambient system strategies
  • Ability to create a 100 percent false load to enable testing at any capacity

These advanced testing capabilities will give Emerson’s application engineers ample opportunities to measure and validate system performance across a full spectrum of application scenarios.

To learn more about how Emerson is helping our customers and the industry to simplify the adoption of CO₂ system technologies and optimize refrigeration system performance, please view the ATMO webinar.