Evapco introduces world’s first packaged low-charge ammonia mega-split refrigeration system

Evapco, a U.S.-based OEM, has launched VersaSplit, touted as the world’s first packaged low-charge ammonia mega-split refrigeration system, offering versatility with up to six evaporators at different temperatures.

U.S.-based OEM Evapco launched VersaSplit, a new condensing unit that the company deems the “world’s first” packaged low-charge ammonia (R717) mega-split refrigeration system, with up to six remote direct expansion (DX) evaporators operating at different temperatures.

VersaSplit, with up to 165TR (580kW) refrigeration capacity, doubles the capacity of Evapco’s roof-mounted Penthouse 70TR (246kW) unit and brings versatility to the industrial market, said Kurt Liebendorfer, Evapco Vice-President.

“Companies are no longer fixed or confined by large rooftop penthouse packages. With the split system, the low side is separated to feed up to six evaporators at a distance, while the low-charge ammonia resides in the packaged mechanical room set on the ground or the roof,” Liebendorfer said.

Mark Shaffer, Design Manager at Evapco, indicated that the evaporators can be installed in different rooms and provide different temperatures.

According to the product brochure, the VersaSplit provides versatile solutions for new or retrofit installations with “high-pressure subcooled liquid ammonia to remote ceiling hung or penthouse DX evaporators with refrigeration capacities of up to 130TR [457kW] for -10°F [-23.3°C] freezers and 165TR for 35°F [1.7°C] coolers or docks.” The ammonia charge averages 4 to 6lbs/TR (0.51 to 0.77kg/kW). 

The units are controlled with an industrial programmable logic controller and operate with variable speed control and glycol-cooled oil cooling for efficiency. Based on the installation site ambient conditions, it comes with adiabatic or air- or water-cooled condensers. For air-cooled units, the oil cooling load is rejected to the condenser.

According to Liebendorfer, VersaSplit is available now in North America. These units have been in development for eight to ten years, and the company’s first-ever split system ‒ using two ceiling evaporators ‒ was installed earlier this year in a new Tahoe-Reno industrial cold storage facility.

When asked to compare the new ammonia split design system to the emerging industrial application of CO₂ (R744) refrigerant with a lower price point, Liebendorfer indicated that the new ammonia system brings closer price parity to the company’s CO₂ solutions. “With the variety of industrial applications, every building costs out differently,” he said. “Depending on the building size, temperatures, and number of rooms, some applications cost out better with CO₂ and others with ammonia.”

“Evapco has made a name for itself with its low-charge packaged units for ammonia, but they keep innovating,” Chasserot remarked. “This new cool product is going to revolutionize the industrial ammonia refrigeration industry; we are happy to have this global exclusive to share.”

“For the industrial ammonia market where you are directly refrigerating air with ammonia, the VersaSplit is the final economic solution for many different applications,” Liebendorfer said. “We are proud to have ATMOsphere spread the word.”