Asda succesfully tests Honeywell's R407F refrigerant

Supermarket giant Asda has achieved significant energy reductions in the trial of Honeywell’s R407F refrigerant, branded Genetron Performax LT, at its Hunts Cross store. The long-term test running from September 2010 found the new refrigerant for supermarket chillers saved energy and reduced overall carbon footprint compared with other commonly used refrigerant blends, such as R404A or R407A.

Asda refrigeration manager Brian Churchyard said: “Asda has been evaluating the energy benefi ts of Performax-LT, initiated in September 2010 at its store in Hunts Cross. Energy benefi ts have been compared against two of the most common HFC refrigerants used within UK supermarket refrigeration systems.

“The trial consisted of two identical HT packs located directly above their respective display case islands. The connected loads and interconnecting services of the two packs are also identical.

“To date the refrigerant has consumed an average of 6.7 per cent less energy than R407A, and 13.4 per cent less energy than R404A. Asda continues to evaluate
additional energy benefi ts now that the optimum system set-points for Performax-LT have been established and hopes to extend its trial to additional stores to further validate these potential savings.”

But Mr Churchyard warned that the benefi ts gained by Asda are specific to its refrigeration equipment, system operational parameters and design.

“Others considering using this refrigerant would be advised to carry out their own like-for-like evaluations as the same benefits may not be enjoyed,” he said.

Paul Sanders, managing director for Honeywell Fluorine Products in Europe, Middle East, Africa and India, said: “Because Performax is safe to use and requires minimal system changes, it is the best choice for supermarkets.”

Honeywell claims the refrigerant can also help save more than 625,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions compared with an R404A system over a 14-year period. The R404F refrigerant consists of conventional HFCs (R32, R125 and R134a) and can be used for new installations and to retrofit existing R404A, R407A and R22
installations.

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