Transcritical CO₂ Systems
Transcritical CO₂ systems provide a natural refrigerant solution for facilities seeking regulatory simplicity, reduced compliance burden, and high performance in low- to medium-temperature refrigeration applications.
Is Carbon Dioxide right for your project?
Transcritical CO₂ refrigeration systems use carbon dioxide (R-744) as the sole refrigerant, operating above and below the critical point depending on ambient conditions. These systems are often selected for cold storage, food processing, distribution, and specialty applications where regulatory simplicity and long-term planning certainty align with broader operational and capital investment objectives.
With zero ozone depletion potential and a global warming potential of 1, CO₂ eliminates exposure to synthetic refrigerant phase-downs and significantly reduces regulatory complexity compared to ammonia systems. This makes transcritical CO₂ an attractive option for facilities prioritizing simplified compliance and reduced risk profiles.
Why Facilities Choose Transcritical CO₂
CO₂ refrigeration is selected when regulatory positioning is as important as system reliability.
Key reasons owners choose transcritical CO₂ include:
Elimination of PSM compliance requirements
Use of a single, natural refrigerant with long-term sustainability
Reduced regulatory exposure compared to ammonia systems
Compatibility with packaged and modular system designs
Proven performance in low- and medium-temperature applications
For facilities balancing performance needs with compliance strategy, transcritical CO₂ is a great solution.
Carbon Dioxide as an Alternative to Ammonia
CO₂ is not subject to OSHA Process Safety Management requirements, eliminating the need for formal PSM programs and ammonia-specific compliance recordkeeping. For many owners, this reduces administrative burden, long-term compliance cost, and operational complexity.
From a safety standpoint, CO₂ is non-flammable, non-toxic at typical operating concentrations, and widely accepted in occupied environments when properly engineered. System designs incorporate pressure-rated components, relief strategies, and ventilation appropriate for high operating pressures.
Energy Performance and Operating Characteristics
Innovative's unique approach to transcritical CO₂ delivers efficient low-temperature and medium-temperature refrigeration solutions. Proprietary system designs incorporate advanced control strategies to manage gas cooler performance, pressure optimization, and heat rejection efficiency.
CO₂ energy performance characteristics include:
High efficiency in low-temperature freezing and storage
Stable performance across varying load conditions
Advanced pressure control to optimize supercritical operation
Effective integration with heat reclaim and rejection strategies
In warmer climates or highly variable environments, system design and control strategy selection play a critical role in maximizing efficiency.
Transcritical CO₂ Systems
Transcritical CO₂ systems can be configured in multiple system types to align with facility layout, operational goals, and refrigerant management strategy.
Direct Expansion (DX) CO₂ Systems
DX CO₂ systems deliver refrigerant directly to evaporators, providing responsive temperature control with simplified piping layouts. These systems are commonly applied in distribution facilities, processing areas, and refrigerated storage where rapid load response is required.
Recirculated CO₂ Systems
Recirculated or pumped CO₂ systems use liquid CO₂ distribution to evaporators, improving heat transfer consistency and capacity control in larger or more demanding applications. Recirculated designs support higher capacities while maintaining the safety and regulatory advantages of CO₂.
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