Greener Upgrades blog series #17
Introduction
Aggreko's Very Low Temperature Chiller (VLTC550) is designed to meet the demanding cooling needs of various sectors, the VLTC550 provides an energy-efficient, high-performance cooling solution. With a cooling range of -15°C down to -40°C this versatile chiller ensures optimal conditions for critical processes across pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, food production & other industrial sectors.
Key attributes of the VLTC550
Ultra-low GWP refrigerant
This chiller operates with CO₂ (R744) refrigerant, a natural refrigerant with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of just 1, significantly lower than synthetic refrigerants like R449a, which has a GWP 1397 times higher. This makes the VLTC550 suitable for environmentally conscious projects.
Exceptional performance
The VLTC550 provides exceptional cooling duty, the new very-low temp chiller delivers an impressive 220 kW at -40°C/-40°F temperature within a compact 10ft container. This performance makes it a powerful tool for industries requiring low temperature cooling solutions with optimal efficiency in a smaller footprint.
Energy efficiency and sustainability
The VLTC550 has been designed and manufactured to deliver excellent efficiency and sustainability. By utilising CO2 refrigerant and advanced variable speed drive (VSD) compressors, the chiller optimises energy use, reducing both operational costs and emissions. This contributes to overall operational efficiency and contributes towards sustainability goals of companies & projects.
Key features of the VLTC550
- Natural refrigerant: The VLTC550 runs on CO2 (R744), a natural refrigerant with minimal environmental impact.
- Compact footprint: Despite its high cooling capacity, the VLTC550 maintains a condensed 10ft square footprint, maximising efficiency in a minimal space.
- Versatility: Ideal for temporary cold storage applications, the VLTC550 excels in maintaining very low temperatures crucial for various industrial processes.
- Exceptional cooling ability: The capability to deliver between 465kW at -15°C and 220kW at -40°C
- Remote monitoring: Aggreko Remote Monitoring (ARM) provides insights into the assets performance and enables proactive diagnostics, ensuring the system operates at peak efficiency.
- Unique design: Exclusively manufactured for Aggreko, the VLTC550 features a containerised design for simplified logistics and installation, along with an HMI display acting as a central point of control for easy operation.
- Containerised design: for simplified logistics and installation.
What applications is the VLTC550 very low temperature chiller suitable for?
The VLTC550 is suited for various specialist applications, including:
- Low-temperature process cooling for the food and beverage industry.
- Research laboratories
- Batch production for chemical processing
- Specialist biotechnology applications.
- Medical processes and storage.
- Production and storage of sensitive items, e.g., vaccines.
- Chemical processing such as distillation.
- Low-temperature cold storage of perishable goods.
- Electronics manufacturing and testing.
- Testing of specialist materials in the Aerospace industry.
- Ground freezing.
Compliance with refrigerant requirements
Global Warming Potential (GWP) regulations have become increasingly stringent, requiring companies to transition to lower-GWP refrigerants to reduce environmental impact. The VLTC550 is engineered to comply with these regulations, using more environmentally-friendly refrigerants that meet current and future standards. This ensures that businesses can continue operations without the risk of non-compliance penalties.
Interim solution for permanent system upgrades
When companies need to upgrade their permanent cooling systems, the VLTC550 provides an interim solution. This temporary support is crucial during transitional periods, ensuring that production processes are uninterrupted.
Overcoming reliability concerns in low-temperature batch processes
Low-temperature batch processes often suffer from reliability issues, which can lead to inconsistent product quality and production delays. The VLTC550 is designed to deliver consistent and reliable performance in these conditions. By ensuring stable low temperatures, it helps ensure product quality and reduces the risk of batch failures, increasing production reliability.
Scalability for market demand and production fluctuations
Market demand can be unpredictable, requiring businesses to scale their production up or down rapidly. The modular design of the VLTC550 allows for easy scalability, enabling companies to adjust their cooling capacity in response to market needs.
Enhanced product throughput and quality control
Quality control is paramount in manufacturing processes and the VLTC550 contributes significantly by maintaining precise temperature control. Consistent cooling ensures that products are processed under optimal conditions. This capability is particularly beneficial in industries where temperature variations can affect end product such as pharmaceuticals, food processing, and chemical processing.
Rapid response and reliability
In cases of equipment breakdowns or emergencies, Aggreko provides quick deployment of temporary cooling solutions, ensuring minimal downtime and continuity of operations.
Digitalisation and smart technology
Aggreko’s Advanced Remote Monitoring (ARM) provides real-time system monitoring and proactive diagnostics, ensuring the system runs optimally and issues are addressed before they escalate.
Aggreko’s VLTC550 is an advanced asset in the field of industrial cooling. By combining high efficiency, exceptional performance, and ultra-low refrigerant the VLTC550 is a vital tool for industries requiring precise and reliable low-temperature control.