French component manufacturer Carly will enter the U.S. market with its oil separators for transcritical CO2 (R744) refrigeration systems after they recently received UL certification.
Cyrille Berthet, Carly’s CEO, told NaturalRefrigerants.com in an interview that four models of TURBOIL-R-P 14, which is rated at 140bar (2,030psi), have received UL certification. The company has also received UL certification for two oil filters rated at 140bar.
“It was time for Carly to come to the U.S. because we’re coming with something different,” said Berthet. “If we come with another centrifugal, coalescent or some other existing [oil separator] technology there’d be limited interest. Instead we’re coming with a really innovative product.”
The TURBOIL-R-P 14 features a multi-stage separation system with dynamic and static separation chambers. The design, which Carly has patented, effectively enables the TURBOIL to act as both a centrifugal and coalescent oil separator, with Carly claiming 99.5% efficiency at all operating speeds.
In addition to refrigeration systems, Carly also manufactures components for companies in nuclear energy, defense and railway sectors. It supplies all of the vibration eliminators for the train cars in New York state through its work with train manufacturer Bombardier.
“America is not unknown to Carly,” said Berthet.
While Carly is coming to the U.S. with established products – the TURBOIL-R-P 14 is already available in Europe – Berthet noted that custom orders represent up to 40% of its turnover. With a global headcount of 80 people, the company is nimble enough to take on custom orders in small batches. For Berthet, this will help Carly stand out among its competitors in the United States.
“It’s not natural for American customers to ask for customized products in small amounts,” said Berthet. “They think in millions of units, but at Carly, if you ask for a transcritical CO2 oil separator with a special connection and only want 10 or 20 built, it’ll be done.”
