One of the common themes I’ve heard at several industry events this year is that supermarket refrigeration systems will probably look very different in the future. Now whether that’s five, 10, or even 20 years down the road, nobody knows, but industry experts seem to think big changes are coming.
Right now, the trend is large, suburban supermarkets, most of which utilize centralized direct-expansion (DX) systems consisting of display cases on the floor that are connected via long runs of refrigerant piping to coils and compressors located in a remote mechanical room or on the roof. These types of systems are designed to be easy to access and service, as all the mechanical equipment is located in one area; however, the sizeable amount of piping can mean a greater chance for refrigerant leaks, which is becoming a greater environmental concern.