Danfoss to open 3000m² flammable refrigerant compressor testing center
Danfoss will extend its existing ATEX (Atmosphere Explosive) compressor testing laboratory in March 2018. Located in Trevoux, France, the 3000m2 facility will be a strategic asset for the transition to flammable refrigerants.
The strategic investment is a response to the growing use of flammable, lower-GWP refrigerants in air conditioning and refrigeration systems. It ensures Danfoss can replicate its full suite of lab tests with refrigerants up to A3 class, and support customers moving to A2L / A3 flammable alternatives.
Six times the size of the Danfoss's existing ATEX laboratory, the center will have over 50 testing benches, capable of compressor tests from 0.5 to 60 TR and compressor manifold tests from 0.5 up to 240 TR per circuit. The plan includes performance testing rooms for energy, capacity, and acoustic testing—as well as reliability rooms for oil and endurance tests.
"More and more, the HVAC-R industry is turning to flammable refrigerants as it seeks to reduce Global Warming Potential (GWP) levels and the environmental impact of our industry. We’re ready to support that move," says Noel Ryan, President for Danfoss Commercial Compressors.
"That transition to alternative refrigerants is quickening, so we at Danfoss are accelerating our own development to meet the new demand. Danfoss' first batch of DSF Scroll compressors with Intermediate Discharge Valves (IDVs) for use with A2L refrigerants shall be released in the second quarter of 2018. We expect most of our major air conditioning components to also qualify at the same time," he adds.
The strategic investment is a response to the growing use of flammable, lower-GWP refrigerants in air conditioning and refrigeration systems. It ensures Danfoss can replicate its full suite of lab tests with refrigerants up to A3 class, and support customers moving to A2L / A3 flammable alternatives.
Six times the size of the Danfoss's existing ATEX laboratory, the center will have over 50 testing benches, capable of compressor tests from 0.5 to 60 TR and compressor manifold tests from 0.5 up to 240 TR per circuit. The plan includes performance testing rooms for energy, capacity, and acoustic testing—as well as reliability rooms for oil and endurance tests.
"More and more, the HVAC-R industry is turning to flammable refrigerants as it seeks to reduce Global Warming Potential (GWP) levels and the environmental impact of our industry. We’re ready to support that move," says Noel Ryan, President for Danfoss Commercial Compressors.
"That transition to alternative refrigerants is quickening, so we at Danfoss are accelerating our own development to meet the new demand. Danfoss' first batch of DSF Scroll compressors with Intermediate Discharge Valves (IDVs) for use with A2L refrigerants shall be released in the second quarter of 2018. We expect most of our major air conditioning components to also qualify at the same time," he adds.