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The leading Asian trade show for refrigeration and air conditioning this year featured several solutions for the ammonia industry, including heavy-duty refrigeration compressors, heat exchangers, condensers and valves. A company overview by ammonia21.com.

The world’s third largest trade show for the HVAC&R industry, held from 5-7 April in Guangzhou, this year attracted around 800 exhibitors showcasing the latest innovations and established solutions for cooling and heating. With less exhibitors and visitors than last year, the economic crisis had left its footprint in an industry otherwise under pressure to re-think its future and propose solutions in line with increasingly tight environmental legislation. Although none of the 19 technical seminars and public sessions exclusively focused on ammonia applications, the natural refrigerant was to be found on the show floor as an increasingly preferred option for large industrial applications. Despite a clear dominance of R22 and other refrigerants without long term prospects, manufacturers of ammonia compressors, valves, or condensers were confident that growth would continue in China, Asia and other world regions.

ammonia21.com provides an overview of some of the displayed ammonia (R717) solutions:

Parker: The global leader in motion and controls showcases its industrial refrigeration control valves for R717 systems. The company confirms that the ammonia market in China is very common, and in cooperation with major system suppliers Carrier or York, still rising. Parker’s inlet pressure regulators, shut-off and control valves can be used in cold storage and process cooling applications.

GEA: As part of the German pavilion comprising 21 companies, GEA Ecoflex presents its ammonia heat exchangers used in the cold storage and manufacturing industry. While the plates come from Germany the complete unit is assembled in China.

Henry Technologies: The US-based company offers shut-off valves, expansion valves, transducer valves and pressure relief valves. It confirms that the market for their ammonia components for industrial applications in the US is substantial. For more than half a century, Henry Technologies has been involved in developing ammonia valve solutions.

Evapco: The huge evaporative condensers on display are part of the impressive product range for ammonia manufactured by the global expert for heat transfer products. The company manufactures and markets its R717 condensers all around the world, including Asia. Evapco’s special heat transfer technology allows for a lower refrigerant charge while an advanced drive system design and an easy to service motor mount design promise an efficient operation at easy maintenance.

Kirloskar: The Indian manufacturer of heavy-duty refrigeration compressors displays several R717 models at its booth. Used for food & beverage processing, preservation and industrial refrigeration in a widest range of industries, the compressors are sold to China, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia. Kirloskar has just opened a new office in Germany and is experiencing a rapidly growing market for its products worldwide, with the exception of the USA. As a next world region, the company is targeting South America.  

Bock: Closely located to GEA as part of the German pavilion, compressor manufacturer Bock displays its F-series of open type compressors. A specially modified selection is available for the use with ammonia. The 2,4 and 6 cylinder models with displacement of 10 to 180 m3/h are mainly used in ship cooling and the chemical industry. Asked about the market prospects for their ammonia products on the Chinese market, Bock sees further growth potential, yet acknowledges the difficult economic climate has slowed down the market.

JAF: The Zhongnan Jiaozou Ammonia Valve & Co. is, as the name already suggests, a manufacturer of globe valves, throttle valves, pressure gauge valves, and check valves, but also ammonia filters. The products are widely used in the food, beer, pharmacy, and chemical industry. Many of its products are exported to Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia.

Baode Heat Exchangers: Although the company has not brought its ammonia models to Guangzhou, it confirms that it is manufacturing units for R717.