Gas Servei, a leading company in the distribution of refrigerant gases and solutions for HVAC&R in southern Europe and in collaboration with the contractor Frío Total, have successfully carried out the conversion of refrigeration equipment of the supermarket chain 7-Eleven in the state of Nuevo León. The conversion involved the transformation of 209 units charged with R-22 to RS-70 (R-453A) refrigerant, and 20 units charged with R-404A to RS-50 (R-442A). Both Gas Servei solutions provide 7-Eleven with a reduction in the electrical consumption of its equipment, in addition to being more environmentally friendly solutions, thus reducing the carbon footprint of its facilities. These solutions have been successful for more than a decade in Europe, operating at full capacity in thousands of installations.
7-Eleven’s goal was to use solutions that were as environmentally friendly as possible (reducing GWP), while maintaining or even improving the energy efficiency of its equipment. After evaluating the different solutions on the market, 7-Eleven opted for Gas Servei’s solutions because not only did they meet the requirements in terms of GWP and energy efficiency, but they were also the most direct, simple and economical replacement solutions, even allowing them not to stop their installations during the retrofit process.
A total of 209 units have been converted from R-22, an HCFC refrigerant that depletes the ozone layer and contributes to the greenhouse effect in case of leakage, as it has a GWP of 1,810. RS-70 (R-453A) was the best solution to replace R-22 for the following reasons:
✓ Does not destroy the ozone layer (ODP=0).
✓ Reduces the GWP by having a value of 1.765.
✓ Reduces the electrical consumption of the equipment.
✓ RETROFIT fast, simple and economical.
A total of 20 units have also been converted from R-404A, an HFC refrigerant that contributes greatly to the greenhouse effect with a GWP of 3,922. RS-50 (R-442A) was the best alternative solution to R-404A for the following reasons:
✓ Does not destroy the ozone layer (ODP=0).
✓ Reduces GWP by 52 %, having a value of 1.888.
✓ Reduces the electrical consumption of the equipment.
✓ RETROFIT fast, simple and economical.
To achieve success, the contractor Frío Total, advised by Gas Servei, has followed a meticulous and thorough process that has included the review of each of the equipment and the selection of the appropriate refrigerant for each of them, not being necessary to make any change of lubricant or any modification in the equipment for proper operation, being one of the key differentiators of the RS-70 and RS-50.
In summary, the successful retrofit of refrigeration equipment of the 7-Eleven chain in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, is another example of the leadership and experience of Gas Servei in the introduction of innovative low TEWI solutions in the refrigeration and air conditioning market, and its commitment to environmental care.
Likewise, with this initiative, the 7-Eleven convenience store chain has demonstrated its commitment to caring for the planet by using more environmentally sustainable technologies, and plans to continue RETROFITting its equipment in the rest of Mexico’s states.