Germany-based chiller/heat pump manufacturer Yanmar Energy System Europe is preparing to conduct field tests in the commercial and industrial sectors with its isobutane (R600a) high-temperature heat pump (HTHP), according to CEO Michael Nisch.
The new water-to-water HTHP is particularly aimed at industrial processing, such as in the food industry, which requires operating temperatures of up to 95°C (203°F) for heating, washing and drying processes, Nisch told NaturalRefrigerants.com in a recent interview.
“Since the prototype is already showing promising results at the factory, we hope to start and complete the field tests in the next fiscal year and bring the isobutane HTHP to market,” Nisch said.
Operating as part of the Japanese Yanmar Group, the manufacturer has produced propane (R290) chillers for HVAC applications in commercial office buildings and R290 heat pumps for industrial processing purposes for more than 20 years.
In addition to developing the HTHP, Nisch highlighted Yanmar Energy System’s role in educating potential customers on the applications of heat pumps that use natural refrigerants.
The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What drove the development of Yanmar Europe’s HTHP?
Michael Nisch: We wanted to move our technology deeper into the industrial processing segment. In collaboration with consulting firm EY, we identified this application area: using waste heat at various temperature levels for heating, washing, and drying processes. However, we needed higher temperature outputs than those provided by R290, so we decided to use isobutane.
In the food industry, you have a combination of requirements for heating, cooking and cooling. The use of a heat pump that provides multiple temperature levels can, simply put, double the efficiency of existing processing methods.
What issues do you see slowing the uptake of natural refrigerant-based equipment in Europe?
MN: Slow and unclear regulations in the past year have made it difficult for customers to make decisions about purchasing systems that use natural refrigerants. However, discussions around PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are positive, as customers are generally interested in using environmentally friendly technologies. This also protects their investments from potential future bans. On our side, we select PFAS-free refrigerants with low GWP, such as propane, isobutane and CO2 [R744].
In marketing, we focus on educating customers, including planners, architects and general contractors, about the benefits of natural refrigerants. We also advocate for subsidies, which can be challenging to obtain due to the complex regulations in Germany.
What is Yanmar Europe doing to promote its R290 products?
The uptake of natural refrigeration equipment that we see today, having sold 19 R290 units in the first weeks of the fiscal year 2024, is a result of intensive education and project work by our technical and sales teams over the past two years. In comparison, we sold only five units in the same time period in 2023.
A central guiding principle of Yanmar’s corporate culture is to improve people’s lives sustainably, including future generations. The use of heat pumps and chillers with natural refrigerants significantly contributes to a sustainable future by reducing energy consumption and preserving the environment.
“The use of heat pumps and chillers with natural refrigerants significantly contributes to a sustainable future.”
Michael Nisch, CEO Yanmar Energy System Europe
