York Navy Systems has designed and developed a new generation of shipboard chillers for the US Navy’s fleet.
In 2009, the US Navy awarded an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-funded contract to York Navy Systems to develop the next generation of high-efficiency chillers to enhance shipboard heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
The new generation of shipboard chillers have been designed to meet the US Navy’s goals, which include reducing fuel consumption by 25% and maintenance by at least 50%, as well as meeting environmental objectives by cutting refrigerant leakage by 90%.
York has also tested a new high-efficiency compressor for a new generation of shipboard chillers and demonstrated its compliance with the Navy’s goals.
Intended for new ship design and construction, the new compressor will serve as a retrofit option to enhance the performance and energy usage of more than 200 chillers currently in service within the US Navy.
With the first ship installation due in 2016, the compressor production units construction is likely to start in 2014.
York Navy Systems general manager Steve Remington said: "By replacing a number of mechanical parts in current chillers with variable speed, magnetic systems and advanced automation, we will have new units capable of meeting the navy’s challenges well into the 21st century, while providing cost, space, weight, power and environmental benefits."
The US Navy had asked for chillers which could provide service for 35-to 50 years, with the ability to withstand extreme environments such as weapons-effect shock, heavy-weather ship vibration and temperatures ranging from the Arctic to tropical locations.
