2024 Dealer Design Awards: Refrigeration & Ice Machines

ELECTRONIC CONTROL: The iFM kit is a universal field-mount refrigeration controller with temperature sensors and pressure transducer kit. (Courtesy of Heatcraft Refrigeration Products)

The Gold award in the Refrigeration and Ice Machines category goes to the intelliGen Field Mount (iFM) kit from Heatcraft Refrigeration Products. The iFM kit is a universal, field-mount refrigeration controller with temperature sensors and pressure transducer kit that can be installed up to 40 feet from an air or electric defrost unit cooler. This provides users with greater convenience by allowing the controller to be installed outside of walk-in coolers or freezers.

“The need for the iFM kit arises from the limitations of traditional mechanical control systems used in most refrigeration equipment today,” said Andy Lin, product manager at Heatcraft Refrigeration Products. “These systems are slow to respond, imprecise, and challenging to set up and troubleshoot. The iFM kit leverages advanced electronic control technology and an electronic expansion valve to achieve desired temperatures quickly — within minutes rather than hours. It offers precise temperature control, ensuring the safety, integrity, and quality of stored products.”

The iFM kit also offers a user-friendly design and advanced features. Unlike other products that require users to decipher complex alpha-numeric codes, Lin says that the iFM kit’s intelliGen intuitive user interface features a unique light bar and full-text display, allowing users to understand system status at a glance.

The iFM kit certainly impressed Chris Stephens, co-owner of JVS Refrigeration in Jurupa Valley, California, who recently had an opportunity to install the unit on an existing walk-in beer cooler.

“In this particular install, I was able to install the iFM controller outside of the refrigerated space,” said Stephens. “As a bonus, the customer can now see the controller from a common area in the kitchen, which allows them to easily monitor the display and indicator lights for better product temperature management. I also used the add-on multi-system control (MSC) card, which enabled me to connect my iPad to the control, allowing me to program and/or commission the controller directly from my iPad. The intelliGen controller was already easy to set up from the human interface, but being able to use my iPad was really cool.”

Three years of research and development went into designing the iFM kit, which included conducting voice-of-customer sessions to gather feedback and insights, said Lin.

“Additionally, we integrated key learnings and customer feedback from our factory-mounted intelliGen equipment. This collaborative approach ensured that the iFM kit addressed the practical needs and preferences of those using it in the field, resulting in features such as the ability to mount it remotely, its universal compatibility, intuitive user interface, and quick setup processes that streamline installation and service.”

The quick setup process impressed Stephens, who also appreciated how easy it was to install the kit.

“It was a no-brainer to choose the iFM kit for the beer cooler. It made my install fun, and the customer also loved the product,” he said.

CONDENSING UNIT: QV-Series: ThermoBank hot gas condensing units are designed to meet the needs of the food processing, industrial cooling, and warehousing industries. (Courtesy of Heat Transfer Products Group)

The Silver award goes to the QV-Series: ThermoBank hot gas condensing units from Heat Transfer Products Group (HTPG). Designed to meet the needs of the food processing, industrial cooling, and warehousing industries, these condensing units incorporate features from HTPG’s Quantum Air condensers, such as the floating coil design with generously sized condensers for energy savings, swept-wing fan blades for optimal airflow, LED-lighted control panel, and hinged venturi panels for easy access.

“The QV-Series: ThermoBank delivers more refrigeration with less energy consumption, less equipment, lower installation costs, and lower operating costs than conventional refrigeration packages,” said Raleigh Thompson, director of marketing and product strategy at HTPG. “With its fast defrost period (typically 5 to 10 minutes), QV-Series: ThermoBank is refrigerating while other systems are still defrosting.”

Three years of research went into the design of the QV-Series: ThermoBank, with HTPG utilizing a series of formal and observational research sessions with installers and end users. Thompson explained that their approach was one of not just listening to technicians, but learning how they interact with other solutions in the market in order to take into account ways to improve their experience with the equipment.

HTPG plans to continue to evolve this product line post-launch by looking at additional compressor offerings and getting the platform ready for low-GWP refrigerant requirements.

CO₂ COMPRESSOR: Copeland’s 4MTLS transcritical CO₂ semi-hermetic compressor is specifically designed for CO₂ booster system applications. (Courtesy of Copeland)

The Bronze award was given to Copeland’s 4MTLS transcritical CO₂ semi-hermetic compressor, which was specifically designed for CO₂ booster system applications. The 4MTLS expands the application range and capacity of Copeland’s transcritical CO₂ semi-hermetic reciprocating compressor product line and offers the largest displacement in the company’s already extensive product lineup, said Jeff Lichty, director of product management – refrigeration.

“As the refrigerant transition continues to progress, the demand for CO₂ refrigeration is expected to increase exponentially over the next five years,” he said. “The largest displacement of the Copeland transcritical CO₂ semi-hermetic compressor gives stakeholders additional flexibility, potentially requiring fewer compressors and lowering the applied costs and complexities of CO₂ booster system design. The 4MTLS builds on our commitment to providing fully integrated system components for a wide variety of CO₂ refrigeration applications.”

Over a year of research went into the development of the 4MTLS transcritical CO₂ semi-hermetic compressors, which included thousands of hours of extensive testing, both in lab simulations and in real-world pilot installations. Using its extensive CO₂ labs and testing facilities, Copeland was able to simulate high pressures and other performance characteristics of CO₂ booster systems as they transition from subcritical to supercritical modes — evaluating the compressor within the full range of its designed conditions.