Optfor better

Axima Refrigeration
France is deploying
Chemours A2L Opteon™
XL20 (R-454C)
refrigerant in several
dozen stores of a French
leader in frozen foods.

Axima Refrigeration is at the forefront of developing low-GWP refrigeration applications. And as a major
player on the French and international markets, their customers include leading companies such as thisstore chain specializing in the manufacturing and marketing of frozen products, a leader in France andpresent throughout the world with several hundred stores. Several times awarded as one of the bestcompanies in specialty and frozen foods.

A solution deployedon a large scale
For the renewal of their cold room refrigeration
installations, they called on Axima Refrigeration,
who offered various options. The customer
elected choice focused on a solution based on arefrigerant with low environmental impact andat the same time allowing them to reduce theirenergy consumption.
Axima's implementation of Opteon™ XL20
(R-454C) solution in all stores and logistic
platforms entrusted to them by the customer
started taking place in 2021 and is continuing
in 2022 under two main configurations, each ofwhich consists of the following elements:Store Setup•

A cold room measuring around 30 m2 for an
approximate volume of 90 m3 classified asaccessible by staff only.

•

A Bitzer Ecolite LHL5E outdoor condensing unit.

•

A Güntner GACC evaporator.

•

The cooling capacity is 5 kW at -23°C set point
and +35°C outside temperature.

•The COP of the compressor under these
operating conditions is 1.32.

•A CRII power regulation module allows partial
cylinders deactivation according to demand, for
improved system energy efficiency.

Depot Setup•

A cold room approximately 60 m2 for an
approximate volume of 170 m3 classified asaccessible by staff only.

•A Bitzer Ecolite LH124E outdoor
condensing unit.

•

A Güntner GACC evaporator.

•The cooling capacity is 8 kW at -23°C set point
and +35°C outside temperature.

•

The COP of the compressor under these
operating conditions is 1.31.

Bitzer Ecolite units integrating a module whichmonitors and manages the main operating
parameters of the compressor. Opteon™ XL20(R-454C) 148 GWP Refrigerant (per AR4) is a
non-toxic, low flammable unit 1 (PED) HFO blend.

2

A relevant choiceof refrigerant

Regulatory complianceand safety

One of the objectives pursued by the customer
was to meet the requirements of the F-gas
regulations by choosing a refrigerant with avery low GWP to replace various high-GWP HFC
refrigerants presently in use. Opteon™ XL20(R-454C) manufactured by Chemours with its
GWP of 148 (according to AR4) has proven to bea very good alternative in this regard.

In order to comply with the rules relating to theuse of A2L refrigerants, Axima Refrigeration
France has:

In addition to its very low carbon footprintcompared to other refrigerants, it offers
several advantages such as ease of installationand maintenance, robustness of the system
under high summer temperatures, and energy
efficiency which translates into lower operating
costs by reducing the electrical consumption ofrefrigeration systems.
For this project, the supply of the refrigerant aswell as the associated logistics was taken care ofby the Gazechim Froid company.

• Performed the refrigerant maximum charge
calculation according to EN 378, also
supported by the charge size calculator
developed by Chemours (https://chem.rs/EN378chargesizecalc). In applications of
this kind, where accessibility is limited to lessthan one person/10m2 in the cold room, nocharge size restrictions apply and therefore no
additional measures are required.
• Carried out a risk analysis and the DESP file.
• Installed leak detection with visual and audible
alarms. Axima has decided to implement
additional means of prevention in order toincrease the safety level of each installation.
• Posted the rules limiting the number of people
allowed in the cold room at one time on cold
room doors.

3For Crystal Mayeur, Innovation Project Manager,
Axima Refrigeration France:“Our rigorous approach has enabled us to roll out
these types of installations on a massive scale
while respecting all the technical and regulatory
constraints linked to ‘A2L’ classification ofOpteon™ XL20 (R-454C) solution. The choiceof this low-GWP fluid is a good alternative forrelevant refrigeration applications, and makes
it possible to meet F-Gas deadlines. For theimplementation of this fluid, Opteon™ XL20(R-454C), the feasibility and design study must
be carried out on a case-by-case basis, bytaking into account the constraints of the site,
the specificities of the fluid and the operating
conditions of the installation.”

Louis Bisciongol, Business Development Manager
at Chemours France, points out: “The energy
efficiency of refrigeration solutions is anincreasingly important issue in a context where
food retail players must both face a cost for
constantly increasing energy and reducing theiremissions. Opteon™ XL20 (R-454C) solution,chosen by this chain for large-scale deployment,
will allow to meet these two requirements.”

For more information on Opteon™ Low GWP Refrigerants
please visit our website opteon.com

The information in this document is provided free of charge and is based on technical data which Chemours considers reliable. We make nowarranties, express or implied, and assume no liability in connection with the use of this information. Nothing herein should be construed as alicense to operate or a recommendation of patent infringement or patent application.
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