Revolutionizing Refrigeration: Insights from Frascold’s Matteo Iobbi on Propane and G&D’s NEW Elite 290 Chillers

Paul Johnson, G&D’s Director of Technology and R&D

In the ever-evolving refrigeration industry, advancements in technology and materials are crucial for achieving peak performance and meeting today’s challenge of mitigating climate change. One standout innovation is the use of propane (R290) as a refrigerant, a topic we recently explored with Matteo Iobbi, CTO of Frascold, a leading global manufacturer of the most technologically advanced, semi-hermetic compressors on the market today. Frascold partnered with us at G&D Chillers for our new Elite 290 propane chiller line.

Propane’s success in Europe stems from early adoption in niche markets, proving its energy efficiency, versatility, and effectiveness. Over time, stringent regulations on high Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants accelerated propane’s integration. Today, propane is a staple in mass-produced products such as heat pumps and cooling units across Europe.

As we officially launch this line using alternative refrigerants in the U.S., Matteo shared his insights on propane’s ascent in Europe over the past decade and what American end users can anticipate. Read on for our informative Q&A with Matteo.

What is your role at Frascold? 

My daily role involves relationships with customers, distributors, and other stakeholders in the refrigeration HVAC industry. This requires a tight exchange of information with our departments in our headquarters in Italy in order to better serve the U.S. market and tailoring our products.

I am also involved in industry events and initiatives where I can share insights on the latest Frascold technologies and pilot programs around the world.

How has propane taken off in Europe? And why do you think it’s been successful? 

 The widespread use of this refrigerant is related to its implementation in mass production products such as heat-pumps and cooling units. The success of the R290 refrigerant comes from decades of niche market implementation, demonstrating its energy efficiency, versatility and effectiveness. Regulations on the use of high-GWP refrigerants has, of course, been an accelerator.

 As propane begins to take off in the U.S., what recommendations do you have for the end-user? What should they be aware of based on what you’ve seen in Europe? 

 Ensure that end-users are aware of proper installation, maintenance procedures, and safety guidelines in order to mitigate any risks. Maintenance engineers have to be trained to handle flammable refrigerant and safety devices.

 We’ve seen huge benefits of the Elite 290 line, both in efficiency and near-zero global warming potential. What are the major factors that have contributed to the growth and demand in the European market? 

 The fact that R290 operates within the pressure ranges that manufacturers are used to dealing with, together with efficiency levels and increased public awareness on direct and indirect emissions, have strongly contributed to the growth.

Again, the regulations made the next step in pushing this technology forward easier.

 In summary, what are some of the biggest drivers for customers moving toward propane refrigeration like our Elite 290 line?

 Outstanding seasonal efficiency, therefore indirect emissions reduced, and negligible direct emissions due to use of R290, are the main drivers. A thorough study has been done of the Elite 290, in order to minimize the charge. Being a chiller with a very low refrigerant charge, for outside installation, with state-of-the-art protection devices make the unit operationally extremely safe. Safety and seasonal efficiency are, in my opinion, the drivers.

 Were there any concerns or barriers for customers choosing propane? If so, what solutions have you seen work and have helped drive growth in the market?

 The main barrier, like in any other disrupting situations, is “we have always done it this way.” The development of dedicated safety standards and the use of advanced technology has helped to overcome these barriers. Training and education regarding safety, handling, and installation guidelines together with clear maintenance procedures have alleviated the concerns and grown the self-assurance on this type of product.

 Do you have any knowledge of where the U.S. regulatory authorities are in writing new codes or standards in allowing R290 to be more mainstream? 

 We at Frascold are closely following the evolution of the U.S. standards such as ASHRAE 15 and UL 60335-2-40, as well as the EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program. They are all moving towards the development of clear safety requirements as well as increasing the limits of the refrigerant charges.

Leading the Charge

G&D Chillers stands at the forefront of this refrigeration revolution, setting new benchmarks in efficiency and safety. As the U.S. market embraces propane, insights from industry leaders like Matteo Iobbi at Frascold underscore the importance of rigorous training, robust safety protocols, and compliance with evolving regulations. Together, we can forge a greener, more efficient future for refrigeration.

To discover your custom chilling solution, schedule your consultation with G&D Chillers’ exceptional engineering team today.

About G&D Chillers 

Since 1993, G&D Chillers have been manufacturing glycol chillers specifically for the  commercial brewing, wine, dairy, cannabis, food processing and manufacturing industries. We  are proud to provide chillers for our industry leading customers such as Ninkasi, Willamette  Valley Vineyards, Sara Lee, Angry Orchard, Stumptown Coffee, Jim Beam, Samuel Adams,  Boeing, Diageo and Brew Dr. Kombucha. With well over 6,000 clients across the U.S. and  beyond, we’ve built high-quality chilling units for specialty installations throughout the United  States, Canada, the Bahamas, India, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Turkey, and the West Indies. No  matter what your cooling needs are, whether you require a permanent installation, a portable  chiller or a heater, we engineer the finest quality chilling systems in the USA. For more  information, visit www.gdchillers.com.