Italy-based HVAC&R manufacturer Enex Technologies has introduced a configurable propane (R290) chiller/heat pump system with up to 1MW (284.3TR) of cooling capacity for food storage and processing applications, with the four-pipe option delivering free hot water at up to 77°C (170.6°F).
The outdoor-installed R290 modular indirect hydronic system, available in two- or four-pipe configurations, supports circulating glycol at −15°C (5°F) in ambient conditions up to 48°C (118.4°F). As needed, the company adds a separate subcritical CO2 unit to the design to handle low-temperature (LT) loads down to −45°C (−49°F).
“With our four-pipe [R290] system and high-temperature hot water production above 70°C [158°F], we’re delivering real, tangible advantages,” said Massimiliano Sfragara, Product Management Director at Enex Technologies. “These features enable precise humidity control and simultaneous heating and cooling for multi-evaporator cold rooms, while also eliminating the need for traditional boilers.”
The indirect R290 system is suitable for new installations and retrofits replacing HFC/HFO chillers, according to Enex.
Specs/configurations: The R290 options include air-cooled reciprocating chillers and brine reciprocating chillers and heat pumps. All units support brine air coolers with capacities ranging from 0.8 to 24.5kW (0.2 to 7TR).
- The air-cooled unit offers cooling capacities from 66 to 1,120kW (18.8 to 318.5TR) and heating capacities from 80 to 1,150kW (22.7 to 327TR).
- The brine unit offers cooling capacities from 31 to 235kW (8.8 to 66.8TR) and heating capacities from 40 to 330kW (11.4 to 93.8TR).
- The modular system contains 10 circuits, each with a propane charge of 4 to 6kg, Enex Technologies told NaturalRefrigerants.com. The package system has two circuits, each with a roughly 22kg propane charge.
LT loads: The separate indoor-installed subcritical CO2 Kube unit, manufactured by Enex, handles freezing loads with capacities ranging from 8 to 270kW (2.3 to 76.8TR).
- The Kube series supports CO2 air cooler blast freezers providing capacities from 14 to 92kW (4 to 26.2TR).
In the field: There are already end users in the food storage industry using the R290 indirect system, according to Enex.
- Three R290 air-cooled chillers with inverter screw compressors supply 1MW of cooling capacity for a fruit storage facility in France.
- Four R290 air-cooled chillers with inverter screw compressors supply 1.5MW (426.5TR) of cooling at two different temperatures, −3 and −8°C (26.6 and 17.6°F), for a food storage facility in Sweden.
Regional uptake: The market for R290 continues to grow in Europe. As of December 2024, roughly 6,650 industrial sites used hydrocarbon-based chillers, according to the “Natural Refrigerants: State of the Industry 2024” report generated by ATMOsphere, publisher of NaturalRefrigerants.com.
Quotable: “In industrial sectors like meat and dairy processing, the operational savings and energy efficiency gains from our [R290 indirect] solution are game-changing,” said Sfragara.
“With our four-pipe [R290] system and high-temperature hot water production above 70°C [158°F], we’re delivering real, tangible advantages.”
Massimiliano Sfragara, Product Management Director at Enex Technologies
