With ATMOsphere Asia returning to Tokyo, Japan for the third time, next week will see the conference take over the Shin-Maru Conference Square on 9-10 February. Among the impressive line-up of expert speakers in policy, market trend and end user sessions is Tadao Sekiguchi, sales manager at Carel Japan Co. Ltd.
Naturals reducing refrigeration's carbon footprint
“Carel's vision is to develop and promote sustainable control solutions for refrigeration and air conditioning applications,” said Sekiguchi, adding that these solutions include efficient electronic control systems paired to electronic expansion valves, and variable speed brushless DC [direct current] compressor management.
“When used in conjunction with natural refrigerants, these solutions are quite effective in helping to reduce the carbon footprint of traditional refrigeration and air conditioning systems,” he argued.
Carel is particularly active in promoting CO2 and ammonia-based technologies, such as electronic expansion valves and system controls used in refrigeration equipment for food retail or food processing applications, as well as in air conditioning.
“The benefits are less harmful emissions, reduced energy usage, and more effective management of the equipment, which translates into reduced operating costs and less downtime,” Sekiguchi said.
Opportunities and challenges of Japanese market
“Broad interest in natural refrigerants in Japan” and Japanese government programmes that encourage the development of environmentally friendly solutions are helping to boost uptake of naturals there, he argues.
Carel’s application expertise, its expanding range of highly efficient control solutions, and its traditional focus on innovation are central to the company’s expansion strategy in Japan, just like in other parts of the world.
Nevertheless, there are numerous challenges to operating in Japan. “The competitive landscape in the country is very active, with many Japanese players that offer good value at competitive prices,” Sekiguchi said.
Moreover, he explained that Japanese manufacturers tend to be vertically integrated, “developing most components and products within their own organisations”.
Nonetheless, Sekiguchi expressed confidence that Carel’s application know-how and focus on innovation would enable the company “to lead the market in its shift towards the adoption of sustainable solutions for the environment”.
High efficiency compressor for CO2 systems
Carel is particularly excited about its high efficiency integrated parallel compression management for CO2systems.
These systems are beneficial at high ambient temperatures, as they remove excess gas that accumulates in the system.
Typically this is done through the use of a flash gas valve or regulating pressure receive valve (RPRV). However, Sekiguchi explained that the placement of a compressor, or group of compressors, between the receiver and medium temperature compressor discharge line minimises the requirement of the RPRV valve, which in turn boosts efficiency.
The regulation and activation of the parallel compression function is dependent on thermal load and working conditions attributed to a special algorithm.
ATMOsphere Asia is taking place in Tokyo next week (9-10 February).
Source:
www.hydrocarbons21.com
