A carbon dioxide refrigeration training facility has been unveiled by WR Refrigeration.
The facility, baseed at the company's newly-opened Birmingham branch, will be used to train WR's UK network of more than 300 installation and service engineers in carbon dioxide-based refrigeration technology.

Hugh Cole, managing director of WR Refrigeration, said: 'Natural refrigerants and carbon dioxide in particular, have an important role to play in the future. 'They may not take over from traditional technology in all applications, but it is going to be a significant part of the overall mix.'

'Our aim in building the new facility is to ensure our engineers have hands-on experience with handling C02 systems, and ensure they are trained to the highest standards of professionalism. The new training centre gives us the capability to lead the field in this exciting new area.'

The facility will also be used to support end user customers who are developing carbon dioxide systems of their own, and provide a working demonstration of the technology in action.

The installation comprises a pumped circulation CO2 secondary system operating at chilled food conditions with a cascade R404A multi-compressor pack system used to provide a condensing medium for the CO2 via plate heat exchangers.

The system provides refrigeration to 15m of multi-deck display case and a 22 m3 cold room. The installation is monitored with a control and alarm system accessible remotely, which offers further opportunities to train engineers on system analysis and interrogation techniques.

WR has worked with suppliers and customers to create the centre including Marks and Spencer, whose display cases are used, and Searle, which supplied cooling equipment and expertise in the design of evaporator coils for the pumped circulation carbon dioxide systems.

WR partnered with Applied Product Solutions and Stanref in the design and manufacture of the carbon dioxide vessel and pump package.

The project is headed up by Paul Arrowsmith, WR's engineering and compliance director, who has 25 years experience in the design of refrigeration systems.