National Grocery Chain Makes Transition to Transcritical Refrigeration

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Like many food retailers, Sprouts has historically employed more traditional refrigeration systems based on common hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants. These HFC systems operate with what’s traditionally seen as acceptable temperatures and pressures. CO₂’s low critical point temperature and high operating pressure (around 1,500 psig) are characteristically not found in traditional HFC-based refrigeration. These are the primary reasons for the reluctance to move toward CO₂. But, with advances in system technology and architecture, CO₂ can be a game changer for retailers seeking to improve energy efficiencies, achieve sustainability targets and cross the finish line on regulatory compliance.

Changing their refrigeration philosophy and moving to a CO₂ transcritical system architecture was a giant step for Sprouts, especially for this store in the hot, humid climate of Atlanta. To pull this off, they turned to OEM partner Hillphoenix, and Hillphoenix, seeing the challenge presented by installing a CO₂ transcritical booster system in a warm climate, turned to Emerson.

Emerson’s E2 facility management system was installed to oversee the CO₂ transcritical booster system. It manages nearly 50 electronic case control units and optimizes the facility’s overall energy management profile.

The E2 system helps improve performance in multiple ways:

1. 1. Controls the variable speed of the fans on the adiabatic condenser in response to operating conditions
   2. Optimizes compressor coefficient of performance by regulating system discharge pressures via Emerson’s high-pressure CO₂controller
   3. Provides complete oil management control of all CO₂refrigeration compressors
   4. Communicates with and captures information from individual case control units
   5. Provides complete control of building HVAC and refrigeration systems, and supports the retailer’s energy and maintenance reduction strategies

Warm climate CO₂-based transcritical booster system installation

The E2 system also allows Sprouts operators to run diagnostics, monitor the system remotely through Emerson’s Service Center and, if necessary, shut down the system components before failure.

The condenser manages both low- and medium-temperature refrigeration requirements on the same system using only CO₂ as the refrigerant, another unique aspect to the transcritical booster system. Running both requirements from the same condenser enhances the efficiency of the system across the store.

It’s understandable why stateside end users are hesitant to switch to CO₂ transcritical booster systems. Concerns over operating pressures, maintenance levels and energy have prompted careful and steady evaluations to understand the true cost of ownership for their enterprises. Emerson technology helped ease those concerns for Sprouts. Their Atlanta-area store is operating efficiently and effectively on the transcritical system.

This blog is a summary of the article National Grocery Store Chain Makes Transition to Transcritical Refrigeration from our recent edition of E360 Outlook.