Leading contractors will share their experiences using different types of natural refrigerant technologies, including benefits, challenges and future plans.

2. Pieter Boon
Degree C

3. Company profile
First established in the 1960s as a branch of a national industrial refrigeration company,
Degree C has now evolved as a multi trade business specialising in electrical, steel
fabrication, sheet metal, HVAC and refrigeration.
Represented all throughout Tasmania with three branches we service the state, with all
the required trades for the refrigeration industry in-house.
We design and construct according to our customers requirements, installing and
servicing in the manufacturing, agri- and aquaculture industry. From light commercial to
heavy industrial.

4. Degree C and natural refrigerants
Over the years Degree C has installed and still services many Ammonia refrigeration
systems from small to very large (100kW to 4000kW).
Therefore a two stage CO2 transcritical was not a great leap. Also looking after some of
the local supermarkets with subcritical cascade CO2/R134A refrigeration bridged the gap
to our first CO2 transcritical installation.

5. Our first CO2 transcritical system
It all started with Chris Fox from Link Logistics…..
Chris was as keen to have a CO2 refrigeration system installed as Degree C was, and we
found a partner in natural refrigerant for an Advansor rack.
After a number of revisions we completed a design, and Chris Fox awarded the project
to Degree C.

6. Link Logistics Hobart airport

7. Challenges with natural refrigerants
- Although fully familiar with two stage Ammonia systems, CO2 refrigeration had some
challenges. Where do you get parts ? What is the industry standard ? Our local suppliers
could not help us at first.
- Extensive research, reading, and assistance from like minded in the field helped us put
the system together. We installed 120kW LT capacity, and 78kW MT capacity.
The biggest challenge with this particular installation appeared to be the unrealistic
time frame…. The design of the rooms was still in progress while the excavation works
had already started
- Eight weeks after the first cool room panel was erected, we started up the
refrigeration system, and another 12 days later Chris Fox and his team moved in right on
schedule.

8. Link Logistics Hobart airport

9. Challenges with natural refrigerants
Unfortunately customers like Link Logistics are thin spread. It is generally hard to
convince our customers that there is a better alternative out there over the
conventional HFCs.
Energy savings and the environment are often not considered at the time of installation.
To convince a customer to spend the extra dollars for an energy efficient system, and
sustainable refrigerant is a true challenge.

10. Opportunities
I see opportunities for the end user, the installer, but also the government.
• The end user can advertise his cold storage: ‘even our refrigeration is clean and green’
• For the refrigeration installers I see a market in natural refrigerants, to promote a
better environment is a great opportunity
• I believe that the government should take this opportunity, and reward the end user
to replace his existing system with a more environmentally friendly refrigerant