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Modern CO₂ cooling systems with heat recovery
27.01.2026 Share
Modern refrigeration systems based on carbon dioxide (CO₂, R744) are becoming one of the leading solutions in industrial and commercial cooling. Thanks to their environmental friendliness, high heat transfer efficiency, and heat recovery capability, CO₂ technologies significantly reduce operating costs for enterprises.
Advantages of CO₂ as a natural refrigerant
CO₂ is a natural refrigerant with zero ozone depletion potential (ODP = 0) and an extremely low global warming potential (GWP ≈ 1), making it a safe and forward‑looking choice for modern cooling systems. Compared to traditional synthetic refrigerants, CO₂ has high thermal conductivity and density, contributing to efficient heat exchange and smaller equipment size for the same performance.
How CO₂ heat recovery systems work
One of the benefits of CO₂ systems is the ability to capture heat from the refrigeration cycle for useful reuse. Because of higher temperatures at the compressor discharge, the heat that would normally be lost can be reused to:
- heat technical or domestic water;
- preheat process streams;
- supplement existing building or warehouse heating systems.
It should be noted that these heat recovery systems are supplementary and should not be considered a primary source of heating or hot water, as heat recovery is only available while the refrigeration equipment is running.
Modern systems can even support multiple temperature regimes simultaneously, which is especially useful for complex facilities with diverse cooling and heating needs.
Benefits of heat recovery in CO₂ systems
Using heat recovery in CO₂ systems offers significant benefits:
- reduced energy consumption by utilizing waste heat for other processes;
- ability to integrate with other heating or ventilation systems, increasing equipment versatility.
Studies show that properly designed heat recovery schemes can greatly improve seasonal energy efficiency and save both cooling and heat year‑round.
Where CO₂ systems with heat recovery are used
CO₂ systems are used in various sectors:
- supermarkets and retail networks — for cooling and simultaneous technical water heating;
- cold storage warehouses — to optimize storage conditions and reduce energy costs;
- food processing industry — where continuous operation and temperature stability matter;
- agro‑industry — for crop cooling and simultaneous use of heat in processing cycles.
Modern CO₂ Systems from RalcoTechnic
CO₂ heat recovery systems are not just the future of cooling — they are a real way to reduce energy use and operating costs, enhance environmental safety, and integrate into comprehensive engineering solutions. By choosing CO₂ technologies with heat recovery, businesses gain efficient, reliable, and forward‑looking systems that meet the highest modern standards.
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