In partnership with Sainsbury’s, A-Gas has introduced a new carbon dioxide (R744/CO₂) analysis and testing service, which aims to improve the monitoring of CO₂ refrigeration system performance.

A-Gas says that ensuring moisture content and other impurities are kept within the recommended levels should be a key focus for everyone involved in the CO₂ supply chain in the food production and supermarket industries.

Managing director of A-Gas John Ormerod said: “Natural refrigerants like CO₂ are no different to traditional HFCs when it comes to quality. Ensuring CO₂ supermarket systems operate within the strict boundaries of the correct moisture specification improves efficiency, reduces maintenance costs and saves money.

“During conversations with Sainsbury’s refrigeration technical specialists earlier this year, Sainsbury’s requested A-Gas’ expertise to help deliver a solution that would enable the monitoring of the quality of CO₂ in their refrigeration systems and thus ensure reliability is maintained,” he added.

Following successful tests with Sainsbury’s, A-Gas has now extended this analysis service to the rest of the HVAC industry. The company provides customers with a suitably-rated cylinder in which they can supply a liquid sample from the refrigeration system. This is returned to A-Gas where it is tested in its state of the art laboratory and a full quantitative assessment is made.

Sainsbury’s head of refrigeration John Skelton said: “This service enables Sainsbury’s to monitor that the quality of the refrigerant within our refrigeration systems is within the manufacturer’s specification ensuring the reliability and longevity of all components.”