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Micro Channel Technology Stacks Up

Highly efficient Delphi Micro Channel technology is helping alter the stationary and transport air conditioning/refrigeration (STAC/R) landscape.

Taking advantage of technology that has its roots in heat exchangers produced for use in vehicle air conditioning systems for the past 25 years, Delphi is helping manufacturers of stationary and transport air conditioning/refrigeration (STAC/R) systems change the way they think about cooling—and heating.

"Delphi was a key player in changing the technology of vehicle air conditioning 15-20 years ago, and we are proud to be a leader in changing the technology in the STAC/R market now," said Ray Johnson, product business unit director, new markets business unit, Delphi Thermal Systems. "We like to ask people in the STAC/R business if they've ever had a problem with their car's air conditioner. Usually they haven't, and we can tell them our STAC/R products are all based on the same technology."

Delphi STAC/R products are based on the innovative micro channel technology, which enhances product efficiency compared to traditional mechanical tube and fin heat exchanger designs. Consisting of a flat micro channel tube, fins, and two refrigerant manifolds joined together in a single coil, the compact and reduced coil size helps meet demands for less storage space, easier installation, and enhanced aesthetics.

The result is a highly efficient heat exchanger ideally suited for a broad range of applications, including residential air conditioners, commercial applications, refrigeration applications such as retail food storage and bottle cooling, and even refrigerated trucks.

Whatever the application, chances are Delphi can provide a solution.

Winning Trifecta

Delphi is developing a portfolio of three micro channel STAC/R products that can be adapted to meet a wide range of applications. All Delphi STAC/R products offer high efficiency performance in a variety of residential and commercial applications. Delphi's product lineup includes:

Delphi Micro Channel Condenser

Delphi Micro Channel Evaporator

Delphi Micro Channel Heat Pump Coil

Micro Channel Condenser—A highly efficient, compact heat exchanger suitable for outdoor cooling residential units, as well as chillers, truck transport, and bottle cooling applications. The coil condenses discharge gas and also provides liquid subcooling.

Micro Channel Evaporator—Able to perform both cooling and heating functions, the evaporator provides air of a desired temperature in residential or commercial applications in a small, compact package. The evaporator also functions as a dehumidifier while in cooling mode, which can help provide conditioned air to the building space. Its brazed design allows it to operate efficiently in both condensing (heating) and evaporating (cooling) modes. And it is fully compatible with small, compact air handlers due to its small size.

Micro Channel Heat Pump Coil—Still under development, Delphi's Micro Channel Heat Pump Coil will provide a cooling function when applied in a warm ambient environment and a heating function when used in a cold ambient environment. It is being designed to be used in residential, rooftop, and other commercial applications. Its design will allow it to operate efficiently in both condensing (cooling) and evaporating (heating) modes. In heating mode, the heat pump coil will operate in temperatures ranging from subfreezing up to 60°F (15°C). In situations where the ambient temperature is only slightly above freezing and the coil could be subjected to frost, the coil will operate in a frost-removal mode.

Several environmentally friendly attributes are built into each STAC/R products. For example, their brazed aluminum construction not only provides exceptional durability and resistance to corrosion, it adds to their recyclability. And a reduced refrigerant charge not only helps reduce operating costs, it means less chemical usage.

In addition, using Delphi STAC/R products can help OEMs meet higher SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) requirements and HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) efficiency requirements.

Delphi: The Cool Choice

Delphi produces 37 million heat exchangers at its global facilities every year for vehicle manufacturers and an increasing number of STAC/R manufacturers. Having been an integral part of the transition period the automotive industry underwent 15-20 years ago from tube and fin systems to heat exchangers, Delphi has a unique perspective on what it sees as the same inevitable shift in the STAC/R industry, a change driven by both cost and environmental concerns. And Delphi has the tools and expertise to make the change as easy as possible for its customers.

"We have a number of proprietary research tools that allow us to quickly design a complete system that works for virtually any requirement," said Johnson. "Our objective is to make sure the system works right the first time, and we strive to optimize all the components and systems we design for durability, cost-effectiveness, and, of course, desired performance. We're excited about all the development and follow-up work in progress, and we look forward to helping STAC/R manufacturers through this dynamic industry transition period in heat exchanger technology."

For more information about Delphi STAC/R products, click here.