More performance and lower costs thanks to CO2

Environmental simulation with modern cooling system

Weiss Technik is converting its test chambers to a new cooling technology. Background: The EU F-Gas Regulation has imposed restrictions on the use of numerous refrigerants since 2020. In 2017, the Reiskirchen-based company replaced the now banned refrigerant R404 with R449A in its environmental simulation systems. It is now possible to use CO2 as a cooling medium, which has benefits for productivity and efficiency.

The refrigerant R449A offers mixed performance: its main disadvantage is the lack of cooling capacity below -30 degrees Celsius. Testing at -40 degrees Celsius or with high heat compensation requirements is often not possible. This also includes the tempering of large and heavy test pieces. As a replacement, laboratories use advanced cooling cascades of -70 degrees Celsius using the refrigerant R469A developed by Weiss Technik.

Safe, cost-effective and standard-compliant testing with CO2

High-pressure resistant components are now available that enable the operation of chillers in temperature and climate test chambers using CO2 as a coolant. Weiss Technik has already installed and thoroughly tested standardized cooling circuits in several test chambers, including rigorous temperature changes.

The result: CO2-equipped devices easily meet testing standards such as IEC 60068-2-14 Nb for thermal shock testing or ISO 16750-4 for electrical and electronic vehicle equipment. Temperatures down to -50 degrees Celsius are reliably reached in the test room. At the specified test points at -40 degrees Celsius there is also significantly more available capacity compared to using R449A refrigerant. At the same time, the use of CO2 in the test chambers ensures that smaller, cheaper components can be used and that the equipment is quieter and more energy efficient than before.

New cooling technology with the same quality and performance

Weiss Technik passes on the cost savings achieved compared to cascades of -70 degrees Celsius to its customers. The reorganization of the product range that was originally planned for the coming years will also be accelerated.

Another benefit: the EU F-Gas Regulation does not apply to this equipment, so there are no documentation and leak detection requirements. The new components can handle the higher pressures associated with CO2, and Weiss Technik guarantees the same lifespan as previous units. Operating conditions, including coolant and room temperature, also remain unchanged. The CE marking, including the decades-old Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU and DIN EN 378, also remains valid as a regulation for the installation conditions of refrigeration systems.

Source: Weiss Technik GmbH