Lead Performer: Oak Ridge National Laboratory – Oak Ridge, TN
July 10, 2023
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Lead Performer: Oak Ridge National Laboratory – Oak Ridge, TN
Partner: Taylor Company
DOE Total Funding: $150,000
Cost Share: $75,000
Project Term: October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023
Funding Type: CRADA
Project Objective
There are more than 3 million refrigerated food/beverage processing, dispensing and vending machines in the United States with an estimated energy consumption of 7.0 TWh per year. Approximately 75% of this energy consumption is attributed to compressor work while the remaining energy is consumed by lighting as well as condenser and evaporator fans. Most of these machines are located within indoor conditioned spaces, with desired stored beverage and condenser temperatures ranging from -10°F to 35°F and 80°F to 85°F, respectively. Common refrigerants used in refrigerated food processing and dispensing equipment such as shake and soft-serve ice-cream machines include R-404A, R410A and R-134a. Under EPA’s significant new alternatives policy (SNAP), as of January 1, 2021, the use of R-404A along with other high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants in these machines is unacceptable. The European union has also introduced F-gas regulations, which put in place a phasedown of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants from 2015 to 2030 by means of a ban of high GWP refrigerants. According to this regulation, servicing of equipment using refrigerants with GWP ≥ 2500 will be banned beginning January 1, 2020. Also, as of January 1, 2022, commercial refrigerators and freezers will only be allowed to use refrigerants with GWP ≤150. To address both domestic and international markets, the refrigerated food processing and dispenser equipment manufacturers in the U.S. are looking for low-GWP refrigerant solutions that will satisfy not only domestic regulations but also international regulations.
In this project, an energy-efficient, low-GWP refrigerant based shake and soft-serve ice-cream machine will be developed to replace existing machines using high global warming potential refrigerants. The overall goals of the project will be met through the following specific objectives:
- Objective 1: Develop natural refrigerant based prototype shake and soft-serve ice-cream machine design based upon application, low-temp and medium temp, and ambient conditions, temperature and humidity.
- Objective 2: Develop a prototype shake and soft-serve ice-cream machine.
- Objective 3: Perform laboratory leak testing of the prototype machine.
Project Impact
Replacing refrigerant in all soft-serve machines would reduce carbon equivalent by 416,000 metric tons.
Contacts
DOE Technology Manager: Payam Delgoshaei
Lead Performer: Vishal Sharma