Innovations

Innovations

  
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To gain more knowledge of the Q-plate® heat exchangers and cooling processes it is necessary to carry out (field) tests. In this way the process can be understood in order to realize better solutions. The Q-plate® heat exchanger is often used for innovative developments, with Wijbenga as an initiator or partner in the tests.

Direct expansion and flooded testing:
To gain more information of the possibilities with plate & shell heat exchangers for refrigeration Wijbenga initiated a test programme in cooperation with TNO-MEP. In 1997 the initiative for these tests was awarded with the “cool trophy”, a prize awarded by the NVKL for innovative cooling products on the Dutch market. The Q-plate® was praised for its prospects for reducing the refrigerant content and the safe use of ammonia in combination with glycol systems.

Participation in CO₂ testing:
In 2001 a number of Dutch companies, including Wijbenga, build a test rig to investigate the applicability of CO₂ in refrigeration. In this test rig Q-plate® heat exchangers and WITT components where used. In 2003 the consortium was awarded by the NVKL “cool trophy”.

International miniref project:
The goal of the international miniref was limiting the amount of refrigerant in industrial refrigeration systems. The project was initiated by TNO together with several European partners, including Wijbenga. The project was based on two reference systems to examine how the filling of each system could be reduced. One of the results was the design of the Q-plate® intercooler.

Testing and development as a partner to our customers:

• Develop systems for recovery of biogas and carbon dioxide
• Testing with CO₂ plate freezers
• Develop high-temperature heat pumps with NH₃
• CO₂ in transcritical applications
• Q-plates® in absorption cooling