Saving energy in pumpless cooling systems

As early as the beginning of the 1990s, the Danish company Birton A/S saw the potential of carbon dioxide as a vital part of natural-refrigerant cooling systems. These systems are not only more lenient on the environment; they also significantly increase the efficiency of processes where they are used.

Today, Birton’s sustainable refrigeration systems with natural refrigerants are produced and sold under the brand CO2OL Solutions.

In 2004, Birton developed medium and high-temperature systems with up to 50 bar CO₂ design pressure. This “pump-less” system uses no pump, compressor or other mechanical device. Instead, it consists of two vessels, heat exchangers and pipes – with no moving parts. The system can be used as an alternative to (or replacement for) central refrigeration and aircondition systems using direct expansion of synthetic refrigerants, or in chillers with water or brine systems. Typical applications are found both in commercial and industrial refrigeration.

Plate heat exchangers are essential

“Without pumps and compressors energy consumption is reduced and the risk of pump cavitations is eliminated. Furthermore, fewer components means minimal maintenance needs,” says Bent Johansen, CEO at Birton.

Birton relies heavily on the components they use. “We’re a system builder,” says Johansen, “and therefore the quality of all components is critical. Because the plate heat exchangers are so essential to the performance of our thermal systems, we chose to go with Alfa Laval.”