MicroGroove Technology Delivers Higher Energy Efficiency in Numerous Applications at ACREX India
The Copper Alliance and the International Copper Association (India) Highlight the Advantages of Smaller Diameter, Inner-Grooved Copper Tubes in Heat Exchanger Coils
New Delhi, India (February 27, 2014) — The Copper Alliance and the International Copper Association India (ICAI) together will display examples of MicroGroove Technology at Stall No. 12.6 in Hall 12, at ACREX India 2014, South Asia’s largest exhibition on Air-Conditioning, Ventilation, Refrigeration and Building Services from February 27 through March 1 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
The MicroGroove exhibit aims to show how smaller-diameter tubes can be used to increase the rate of heat transfer through coils in numerous applications, thereby improving the energy efficiency of appliances, including air conditioners, heat pumps and refrigeration equipment.
MicroGroove provides energy savings because, when coils are made with smaller diameter, inner-grooved copper tubes, heat can be efficiently removed from the refrigerant in the case of the condenser coil; or picked up by the refrigerant, in the case of the evaporator coil. This higher heat transfer efficiency increases the overall energy efficiency of the system. The MicroGroove advantage has to do with increasing the inside-the-tube heat transfer coefficient. The use of smaller tubes also improves the air-flow outside-the-tubes because of the reduced form factor.
MicroGroove technology is already widely used in the manufacture of residential air conditioners currently available in the global marketplace, including split-type as well as window air conditioners. For commercial systems, it has been adopted by such companies as Goodman (Daikin), The LU-VE Group and Super Radiator Coils.
Spirotech Heat Exchangers Pvt. Ltd. last year installed new manufacturing equipment and began production of heat exchanger coils using smaller diameter copper tubes in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, India. (See MicroGroove Update newsletter, Issue 3-2, “In the Spotlight: Spirotech Moves to Smaller Diameter Copper Tubes” available online at www.microgroove.net/microgroove-update-newsletter.)
MicroGroove is well suited for use with new eco-friendly refrigerants and natural refrigerants. One reason is that, for a given tube-wall thickness, a tube with a smaller diameter can withstand higher pressures. Another reason is that coils can be made with less refrigerant volume, an important consideration for systems using flammable refrigerants such as propane.
"It is more than appropriate that MicroGroove should be on display ACREX India 2014 where resource efficiency and energy savings are contributing to the theme of carbon neutrality," says Nigel Cotton, MicroGroove Team Leader for the International Copper Association. "MicroGroove has a key role to play in the design of sustainable ACR products."
"MicroGroove is now used to make refrigeration equipment, heat pumps and air conditioners that are more energy efficient. Such products could be powered more easily by sustainable energy sources. MicroGroove is one piece of the sustainability puzzle for cooling and refrigeration," says Avinash Khemka, Manager, International Copper Association (India). "In addition, it is suitable for use with many eco-friendly refrigerants."
About ICAI
International Copper Association India (ICAI) is the Indian centre of the International Copper Association Limited (ICA), the leading organisation for the promotion of copper worldwide. ICA started its operation in India in 1998, by setting up a liaison office in Mumbai. The International Copper Association (India) was formed to be actively associated with the growing number of copper users in India. ICAI's principal objective is "to promote the beneficial usage of copper for safety, health, environment and energy savings."
ICAI has both international and Indian copper producers as members. ICAI’s projects and activities receive full support from the major Indian copper producers, fabricators, cable manufacturers and EE motor manufacturers
About ICA
The International Copper Association, Ltd. (ICA) is the leading organization for promoting the use of copper worldwide. ICA's mission is to promote the use of copper by communicating the unique attributes that make this sustainable element an essential contributor to the formation of life, to advances in science and technology, and to a higher standard of living worldwide. Visit www.microgroove.net for more information about ICA.