Will the existing cooling system be used for the custody years to come? Very nice. However, even a well-functioning installation must eventually be replaced, because the use of the most commonly used synthetic refrigerants will be prohibited from 2030. Equans Refrigeration & Heating Solutions therefore guides entrepreneurs from the maintenance of an existing installation to a future-proof cooling solution.
European regulations require the reduction of synthetic coolants. "In the Netherlands alone, approximately one million industrial cooling installations use these coolants," says Henk Tebben. If storage specialist At Equans he guides entrepreneurs in phasing out these refrigerants. "With a properly functioning installation of ten to twenty years, which runs on a synthetic coolant and is well maintained, you are in a certain comfort zone. Although the installation may still last for years, you can run into major problems from 2030 onwards. If there is a leak, for example due to old age or external influences, you are no longer allowed to refill the installation and your business operations come to a standstill."
Nothing in stock
For entrepreneurs who continue to rely on their existing installation, there is another risk. "Due to changes in the market, it is no longer self-evident that essential cooling components such as compressors, frequency controllers, condensers and evaporators are in stock. Manufacturers only make them when you order them," says Tebben. "If you continue to operate with an outdated installation without preventive maintenance, you will face major challenges if a component breaks down." According to him, entrepreneurs who opt for preventive maintenance are safe. "If during inspections or maintenance it appears that components are no longer running as they should and are showing increasing wear, we order and replace them and the installation can continue seamlessly."
Commitment
An organization that shows commitment and has the best interests of the entrepreneur at heart goes further than that, says Tebben. "That is why we do more than just also maintains concrete proposals for optimization. And we will discuss the possibilities for sustainability. Sustainability is simply replacing an existing installation with one that is energy-efficient, environmentally friendly and future-proof. That always leads to natural refrigerants. Since existing installations are almost never suitable for natural refrigerants, conversion or new construction is necessary. That takes time and cannot be done ad hoc. For continuity of business operations, it is therefore essential to be warned in time, to receive advice and to plan the phasing out properly."
From plan to delivery
The process from concept plan to delivery takes about two to three years. Tebben outlines the step-by-step plan: "After the introduction, we convert the customer's wishes into a concept plan. We discuss this with the customer, after which we determine the global budget. If the customer agrees to the plan and the budget, the final engineering follows. It is good to know that the budget price hardly deviates from the final price, unless prices for parts and services change along the way. In the five to six months after the agreement, materials are ordered, the engineering follows, there are construction meetings and consultations with fellow entrepreneurs such as electricians and plumbers, and construction starts. Upon delivery, the installation is inspected, after which it can be put into use. Our service department then ensures that the installation runs smoothly for decades. We are happy to help entrepreneurs who want to take this path with us to achieve operational reliability."
Read more:
Phasing out synthetic refrigerants | Equans
Maintenance and overhaul of refrigeration systems | Equans