MOBILE, Ala. — CIMCO Refrigeration Inc., Southern California Edison (SCE), and Mayekawa Manufacturing Co. announced they are collaborating to develop, build, install, and research a new refrigeration system using natural refrigerant alternatives. The team recently installed a novel, high-efficiency industrial refrigeration system at a food manufacturing facility in Irvine, California, that caters to Japanese restaurants. The researchers expect the system to provide a 20 to 50 percent energy savings and be less impactful on the environment.

The NewTon refrigeration system uses ammonia and CO2, two natural refrigerants, to achieve a higher level of efficiency and energy savings than conventional refrigeration systems, said the companies. Mayekawa will monitor the refrigeration system in real time for the operator. SCE will gather and analyze the performance data on both the NewTon and the existing refrigeration system which can alternate operation at the Imuraya USA plant, which manufactures desserts for Japanese restaurants.

Mayekawa’s existing research shows that ice arenas achieved an average of 50 percent reduction in energy; cold storage facilities showed an average energy reduction of 27.8 percent; and freezers at processing plants showed an average reduction of 20 percent of electricity consumption, using this new refrigeration system.

Jose Mergulhao, CIMCO VP of US Operations, oversaw the installation, which was completed in late June. “Reducing the carbon footprint and decreasing overall energy consumption is of significant value to commercial and industrial consumers and to the surrounding electric grid, especially during times of peak demand and warm, summer days,” he said.

The team expects to complete its research on the new refrigeration system by the end of 2016 and will issue its first update in early 2017.

For more information on CIMCO Refrigeration, visit www.cimcorefrigeration.com.

For more information on Mayekawa, visit www.mayekawa.com.

Publication date: 8/3/2016

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