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LAS VEGAS, NV — The AHR Expo returned this year, after being cancelled in 2021 due to the pandemic. Exhibitors and organizers were eager to welcome back thousands of HVACR contractors and other industry personnel to the Las Vegas Convention Center for the annual three-day event.

On the show floor, refrigeration manufacturers were ready to show off their latest equipment and components, which included new compressors, condensing units, and other solutions geared toward the commercial refrigeration market.

Baltimore Aircoil Company (BAC)

According to Steve Jaczun, business leader of refrigeration at BAC, the company was excited to return to the AHR Expo in order to support the industry as well as learn about current trends and innovations.

“We also like to engage with customers and sales reps and take the opportunity to advance our cooling solutions for the HVAC, industrial, and refrigeration industries,” he said.

One of those solutions is the TrilliumSeries Adiabatic Condenser, which has been available for the refrigeration market since 2012 and combines evaporative and dry cooling to optimize energy and water savings. At the Expo, BAC announced the new TrilliumSeries Adiabatic Cooler of the same product line, for HVAC applications. Both TrilliumSeries products reduce annual water consumption by 90% through sensible heat rejection methods.

The CXVB Evaporative Condenser is another refrigeration solution that was highlighted by BAC. It delivers the highest system efficiency, minimizes maintenance, and provides the lowest refrigerant charge in the industry, said Jaczun.

Also featured was BAC’s Vertex Evaporative Condenser, which includes several unique features, such as:

• Models with EC fan technology for optimum energy-saving load-matching capabilities, and an overall reduction of fan system parts.
• A full-size access door at 68 inches to aid ingress and egress while decreasing the chance of hitting your head. A step and grab bar are standard as well.
• An internal walkway which eliminates walking in basin water, minimizing trip and slip possibilities.
• A basin design that requires 36% less water, thereby reducing costly chemical treatment costs.
• The Tri-Armor Corrosion Protection System, which is the premier basin coating in the industry and offers a 10-year warranty against leaks and corrosion.

“Uptime is critical to any food and beverage facility, whether it be cold storage or food processing, which is why our products need to be reliable and easy to maintain and service,” said Jaczun. “BAC continually solicits voice-of-the-customer feedback to ensure that it is developing products that meet or exceed customer requirements in these areas.”

Embraco

Embraco, a global provider of refrigeration technology for the residential and commercial cold chain and part of the Nidec Global Appliance’s portfolio of brands, launched multiple refrigeration solutions at the AHR Expo, including several compressors and condensing units.

CONDENSING UNITS: At the AHR Expo, Kerry O’Brate showed off Embraco’s new lineup of condensing units. (Staff photo)

“At this year’s AHR Expo, we wanted to show the public the wide range of Embraco products capabilities, in terms of portfolio options, technologies, and cooling capacity, especially for the food service and food retail segments,” said Michel Moreira, commercial refrigeration business director for NAR region at Nidec Global Appliance. “So we brought to the show fixed and variable-speed compressors, as well as condensing units that can solve our customers’ needs.”

Embraco’s new Evaporative Drain Pain (EDP) lineup, part of the company’s new condensing unit portfolio, was introduced at the AHR Expo. Designed for reach-ins and under-counters in the food service segment, these compact units start at only 10.4 inches high. Equipped with highly energy-efficient Embraco compressors, the new lineup offers a vast array of options in R-290, including variable-speed compressors. The EDP condensing units also bring a new design concept that solves draining issues, by having the evaporative drain pan covering the entire product footprint.

Also highlighted was the UNT, Embraco’s largest indoor condensing unit, which is part of the brand’s second generation standard portfolio, presenting 1¼ HP of cooling capacity. With customized features, its main applications are open specialty display cases and grab-and-go cases very common in bakeries and convenience stores.

Embraco also featured its most compact condensing unit, the UMC, which has a height of only 7.5 inches and is perfectly suited for one- and two-door under-counters used in professional kitchens and bars. Another recent product launch featured at the AHR Expo was the VEMT, the newest member of the VEM family. This variable-speed compressor is suitable for merchandisers and food service refrigeration equipment like bottle coolers and under counters and adds to the VEM platform a future-proof option of R-290.

“One of the major trends in the industry is technological advancements that contribute to environmental sustainability as future-proof solutions,” said Moreira. “The Embraco brand has a background of more than 25 years of tests and studies that reinforce the choice for natural refrigerants as the best alternative. That is why we have a complete portfolio of compressors in natural refrigerants such as R-600a and R-290.”

Rivacold

Rivacold focused on natural refrigerants and energy efficiency, and its booth showcased green and easy-install solutions for the food retail and food service segments as well as pharmaceutical, scientific, and small industrial applications.

TRANSCRITICAL SYSTEM: Rivacold displayed the new CO2NNEXT, an R-744 transcritical condensing unit system that is designed for a wide range of applications, including walk-ins and display cases. (Courtesy of Rivacold)

“The AHR Expo remains the most significant HVACR exhibition in the USA, and it is important for us to share our values and to confirm our leadership in the manufacture of high-quality, efficient, and environmentally sustainable refrigeration equipment here in North America,” said Tommaso Scavone, sales manager of the North American region at Rivacold.

He added that all of Rivacold’s products are designed to reduce time and cost to both the contactor and the end user.

“Easy to install, easy to fix, energy efficient, low noise, widely customized, and extremely high-quality products have always been part of Rivacold’s success. In addition, all our latest product lines include full connectivity to be integrated into supervision systems or remotely controlled via Rivacold APP and IoT.”

The company displayed several new refrigeration solutions, including the UL and AWEF-certified CO2NNEXT, an R-744 transcritical condensing unit system that is designed for a wide range of applications, including walk-ins, display cases, etc. With a new generation of CO2 controls, this system can connect up to five different utilities. It is available in up to 45,000 Btu in medium temperature and 25,000 Btu in low temperature and is also offered as a plug-and-play solution.

BEST Monoblock is an R-290 solution for cold rooms up to 4,000 cubic feet. New electronics and the new internally developed software, with smart defrost function, grant the maximum precision and stability in temperature regulation, as well as significant energy savings, said Scavone. “Revolutionary electronics and integrated connectivity system make this new R-290 wall-mount system aesthetically appealing, functional, and digitally innovative.”

The SF R-290 water loop rooftop packaged system offers all the benefits of Rivacold Blocksystems combined with the advantages of closed water loop condensation, which includes a larger refrigeration charge, no heat rejection inside the store, no water waste, extremely low noise, and easy heat recovery. For greater capacities, these Monoblocks can be connected in series, creating a larger capacity solution (up to six units) with only one control/ single display.

Also featured were R-290 sealed systems and customized condensing units, which are small, lightweight, and silent, and use low-consumption electronic fans. These lines designed for a wide range of applications, including grocery stores, c-stores, and restaurants.

“Natural refrigerants are widely used not only in the food service segment where R-290 is already a confirmed solution, but also in the food retail and pharmaceutical markets,” said Scavone. “Rivacold is well prepared with a wide range of green solutions to face this demand. It is a continuous investment of ours, and later this year new product lines will be launched, integrating and expanding our current portfolio, responding to the different needs of this green evolution.”