Naturaliste Vintners

Conversion from R22 to hydrocarbon refrigerant delivering a published 21% improvement in energy consumption, with hydrocarbon sensors installed for safety.

Naturaliste Vintners in Margaret River required precise temperature control for their winemaking operations. Their liquid chiller, which provides cooling to wine storage vats via a secondary brine loop, had been underperforming since installation — suffering from wild head pressure fluctuations and severe icing on suction accumulators and compressors. In August 2012, Engas was engaged to convert the chiller from R22 to hydrocarbon refrigerant M50. Before any work began, Engas fitted the system with hydrocarbon safety sensors that trigger automatic pump-down in the event of a refrigerant leak. All electrical panels were properly sealed to eliminate potential ignition sources. The existing R22 was reclaimed and the system charged with the correct weight of hydrocarbon refrigerant. Data comparison and actual power savings showed a 21% improvement in energy consumption — a result published in HVAC&R Nation magazine. The barrel storage room's air-conditioning system was also converted from R134a to hydrocarbon M30, with additional hydrocarbon sensors installed due to the indoor plant location. The conversions aligned perfectly with the winery's sustainable viticulture practices while delivering significant measurable cost savings and significantly improved system reliability.

The Challenge

Prior to the conversion, the existing HVAC infrastructure was reliant on man-made chemical refrigerants that were not only environmentally damaging but also inherently inefficient. The high operating pressures caused significant wear and tear on the compressors, leading to increased maintenance costs and frequent downtime.

The Engas Solution

Our engineering team conducted a thorough assessment and recommended a direct drop-in replacement using Engas hydrocarbon blends. The retrofit process was completed seamlessly without the need for extensive hardware replacements. Safety protocols in accordance with AS/NZS 3000, AS/NZS 60079.1.10 & AS/NZS 5149.1-4 were strictly followed throughout the implementation.