Walmart opt for NH3 system for new distribution centre
By Robert Davidson, Nov 05, 2015, 08:25 GMT-4 • 2 minute reading
Walmart is the latest large retailer to open a new distribution centre utilising the energy efficient and environmentally friendly refrigerant ammonia. The 42,000m2 distribution centre has 34,000 pounds (15,400kg)of ammonia cooling the two million cases of cold and frozen foods shipped every month.
Walmart’s decision to use ammonia as the sole refrigerant in its distribution centre follows similar installations by Whole Foods and Unilever, who deployed an ammonia system and a CO2/NH3 cascade system respectively.
These installations from some of the world’s biggest corporations highlight the growing role ammonia is playing in the United States, both in small, medium and large-scale industrial applications, adopting low-charge, two-stage ammonia and CO2/NH3 cascade solutions.
The new Mankato distribution centre located in the state of Minnesota employs more than 400 people to cover its 42,000m2 facility that will distribute goods to Walmarts in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The total cost of the warehouse equated to US$75 million (€69 million) and has been in the works for 11 years.
Large ammonia system to ensure consistent quality
The distribution centre has various requirements to allow for optimal preservation of the myriad types of stock. The fruit and vegetable storage area must be kept at a constant 13oC with special requirements for produce such as bananas, which have their own room where climate control is exacted to ensure perfect ripeness.
This is in contrast to the dairy and deli storage warehouse, which must be kept at 1oC ,the meat storage freezer (-1oC) and the freezer section (-23oC).
The 34,000 pounds of ammonia are circulated throughout the distribution centre through five 2,560hp compressors that flow refrigerant throughout 14,000 linear feet of refrigeration piping.
Walmart ensuring its sustainable future
Walmart, one of the world’s largest retailers, is making a global effort to lower its carbon emissions created by refrigerants, and as such, have introduced natural refrigerants to a host of distribution centres dotted around the globe.
In the United Kingdom, Walmart (under the brand Asda) operates a distribution centre using an NH3/CO2 cascade system in the Midlands. In Balzac, Canada, Walmart uses an ammonia system in its distribution centre, which is 60% more energy efficient than its other distribution centres.
These installations are in line with Walmart’s plan to “begin phasing out HFC refrigerants by 2015 and replacing them with non-HFC refrigerants where these are legally allowed and available for new purchases of point-of-sale units and large refrigeration installations.”