Rittal's Blue E+ cooling products involved in energy saving research for Nestlé
In this test factory, Nestlé team of developers puzzled over the details of the Nespresso capsules, before they were produced for the first time. Similarly, the freeze-drying process for roasted coffee has been undergoing optimization, in the PTC for decades. Successful product innovations make Nestlé’s PTC research centre a company-wide reference point for the use of new process technologies. The PTC relies on the expertise of a number of partners and it was therefore prepared to take part in a comparative research project, that would show the energy efficiency gains achieved through Rittal Blue e+ in comparison to a standard cooling unit.
The focus is on saving cooling energy
In the foodstuffs industry there is not only a necessity for process heat but also a need for cooling constantly and as energy-efficiently as possible. Not only does the refrigerated storage or fast freezing of food require a lot of energy, but also the cooling of electrical controls. Heat has to be continuously dissipated, in order to ensure a constant temperature within an enclosure.
Rittal approached the Nestlé PTC with the proposal to carry out comparative research between a conventional “Blue e” cooling unit and one of the latest “Blue e+” generation. Each are mounted on two identical Rittal enclosures, that were already in operation at Nestlé’s PTC factory. Rittal is not only offering the new climate control unit for the duration period of the research, but it is also making measurement protocols and measuring devices available for a whole year. It is already quite clear that the Rittal Blue e+ principle is massively improving the energy efficiency of cooling. Based on the results available to date, it is expected that about 72 percent less power has be consumed during the test phase than with the older standard Blue e device.
Active and passive cooling
Enclosure cooling is making a quantum leap forward, with the latest generation of Blue e+ wall-mounted cooling units. Through innovative technology developments, Rittal has succeeded in getting two heat transfer technologies to work in the device. Firstly, a speed-controlled compressor ensures the optimum cooling capacity. Secondly, a heat pipe is installed, this pipe is filled with a refrigerant that fills the volume both when in a liquid or in a vaporous state. In one part of the pipe, i.e. in the evaporator heat is transferred from the interior of the enclosure to the liquid which evaporates immediately. This causes a pressure gradient inside the pipe, causing the resulting steam to rise upwards to near the condenser. The latent heat previously absorbed is released from inside the pipe to the ambient air and the refrigerant changes its state of matter from gas to liquid again. The liquid refrigerant flows back into the evaporator through using gravitation force and the cycle starts all over again. However, this principle can only function if the temperature outside the enclosure is lower, than the temperature within. With the heat pipe cooling is, so to speak, free-of-charge and without any external intervention.
“We are always motivated to help genuine innovations make a real breakthrough.” - Philippe Demarque, Project Manager, Nestlé PTC Orbe
Reliability
A constant temperature inside the enclosure is ensured by means of three modes of control: heat pipe mode, hybrid mode (heat pipe and compressor), and cooling circuit mode (if it is warmer outside the enclosure than inside). The device also offers digital interfaces data, that can be read out immediately and fault signals can be sent to a smartphone for example, the innovative Blue+ principle makes the enormous progress in cooling technology obvious.
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To view the full Blue e+ Range, download the brochure using the link below: Blue e+ chillers brochure
To learn more about energy efficiency within the industrial environment, take a look at Rittal's latest blog post
