Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems, Ltd., a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group company, will launch two new models, the 10HP "HCCV1001C" and 20HP "HCCV2001MC" to its "C-puzzle" series of commercial-use refrigeration condensing units that use the natural refrigerant carbon dioxide (CO2). Both new models, which will go on sale in the Japanese market this summer, accommodate MHI Thermal Systems' proprietary new "M-DIOMAC" system. The new units respond to the needs to make engineering and installation simpler and easier.
Models in the C-puzzle series first marketed in 2017 are equipped with MHI Thermal Systems' proprietary two-stage compressor, a unique configuration of a scroll compressor and a rotary compressor. The new M-DIOMAC system provides for a packaged oil management system, which is essential when building a refrigeration system. The packaging simplifies on-site adjustments of the refrigeration units, enabling simpler installation.
M-DIOMAC consists of a dedicated system controller and remote controller. Direct control of the cooling unit's expansion valve enables effective oil management, resulting in outstanding reliability. As up to three condensing units, which function as the outdoor units, can be interconnected, control is possible to a maximum of 60HP. The cooling units, such as the showcase and unit cooler, serve as the indoor units. With the 10HP condensing unit, up to 8 cooling units can be interconnected, while for the 20HP model up to 16 cooling units can be interconnected. Using the remote controller, which features a full-color 7-inch liquid crystal display, monitoring from a distance is possible. Also, information on cold room temperature, set temperature, degree of superheat, opening degree of expansion valve, etc. can be displayed for 8units, allowing for easy confirmation of operations.
The CO2 refrigerant used in the C-puzzle features an ozone depletion potential (ODP) of zero and global warming potential (GWP) of only 1, enabling significant contributions to protecting the ozone layer and mitigating global warming compared to the fluorocarbons (HCFC, HFC) currently in wide use. Under Japan's "Act on Rational Use and Proper Management of Fluorocarbons," commercial condensing units having a compressor with a rated output exceeding 1.5 kW will be required to adopt refrigerants with a GWP below 1500 (CO2 = 1) by 2025. As a result, from 2025 adoption of low-GWP refrigerants is expected to expand further, and this is projected to make it difficult to procure fluorocarbon type refrigerants when the refrigerant needs to be exchanged during repair work. Condensing units using CO2 refrigerants, on the other hand, are not affected by refrigerant regulations, creating an environment conducive to adoption of such condensing units, so demand is projected to increase both for new installations and replacements.
