Carbon dioxide as a refrigerant is an environmentally friendly alternative to hydrofluorocarbons, according to Luvata, a global metals manufacturing and technology company.
In addition to being non-flammable, non-toxic and less expensive, CO2 offers zero ozone-depletion and may be more efficient than traditional refrigerants.
To be sure, The Coca-Cola Co. will be using Luvata’s technology for its environmentally friendly vending machines for the 2008 Beijing Olympics as part of the beverage company’s commitment to sustainability.
“In addition to the environmental advantages, it has a higher heat-transfer coefficient than traditional refrigerants, which can lead to increased efficiency in the heat-transfer equipment it is used in,” says Giovanni Simeoni, head of sales and marketing, product development and R&D for Luvata’s ECO-Heatcraft division. “The higher volumetric efficiency of CO2 refrigerant (known as R744) also means that the cross-sectional area of pipes used in heat-transfer equipment can be reduced. As a result, equipment has the potential to be smaller, lighter, more efficient and better for the environment.”
