Bio-based, sustainable heat transfer fluids using DuPont Tate & Lyle Susterra propanediol has reduced energy consumption and its carbon footprint at the Danone Blédina's Brive site in Europe.
The site is home to the food manufacturer's largest factory for infant food.
Climalife, Europe’s specialist in cooling fluids and refrigeration uses Susterra propanediol as the primary ingredient in their range of Greenway Neo heat-transfer fluids.
DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products work with leading heat transfer fluid manufacturers, such as Climalife, to leverage the company’s bio-based glycol, as the primary ingredient in their range of Greenway Neo heat-transfer fluids.
As a leader in the food industry, Danone has a vested interest in contributing to the fight against global warming by helping to establish a carbon-free economy, according to Frédéric Lebas, director of the Danone Blédina site in Brive-la-Gaillarde, France.
“To bring health through food to as many people as possible, we are committed to achieving long-term zero net carbon through solutions co-created with our partners,” he said.
When replacing the refrigeration system on the Brive-la-Gaillarde site, Nicolas Tomaz, technical manager, for refrigeration at Blédina, had to look for an energy-efficient solution that could contribute to reducing the site’s carbon footprint.
It also had to comply with ISO 14 001 (environmental management system) and 50 001 standards (energy management system).
Tomaz, reached out to Climalife, and quickly settled on Greenway Neo fluid for the secondary refrigerant circuit. “Our goal was to replace R-22 with environmentally friendly and energy efficient fluids,” Tomaz said. “The safety data sheet does not have any hazard warnings or symbols on the label.”
Greenway Neo heat transfer fluid also is Borax-free as it has been specially formulated leveraging a new generation of organic inhibitors.
Another key aspect of Climalife’s heat transfer fluid that played a significant role in the selection was its performance.
The fluid’s low viscosity profile allowed the site to opt for smaller KSB pumps, enabling significant energy savings. “A reduction in pressure loss of almost 30 per cent was impressive,” explained Tomaz. “This was an excellent surprise and as a customer, we were delighted.”
Susterra propanediol, the glycol used, is manufactured through a proprietary process that uses glucose from natural raw materials instead of petroleum-based feedstocks. The basic materials can be derived from renewable, farm-grown sources including corn — making the promise of carbon neutrality and independence from petroleum a real possibility.
From “cradle-to-gate,” the production of DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products’ bio-based 1,3-propanediol consumes 40 per cent less energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 40 per cent versus petroleum-based 1,3-propanediol and propylene glycol.
For the full case study on Blédina visit http://www.duponttateandlyle.com/susterra-technical-information.