Italian HVAC leader Rhoss S.p.A. (a Nibe Group company) has completed a massive strategic expansion of its water-source chiller and heat pump catalog, positioning itself at the vanguard of the European transition to low-GWP (Global Warming Potential) and natural refrigerants.
The announcement, headlined by the debut of the FullFLOW ECO DX series and the natural refrigerant UniPACK-PI range, marks a decisive move to align commercial and industrial climate control with the increasingly stringent EU F-Gas regulations.
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The Industrial Heavyweights: FullFLOW ECO/ECOA1 DX
The centerpiece of the update is the FullFLOW ECO/ECOA1 DX range of non-reversible water-source chillers and heat pumps. Designed for high-capacity applications, these units cover a cooling and heating spectrum from 230 kW to 1530 kW.
The series utilizes stepless screw compressors with linear capacity control, allowing for precise matching of the thermal load. Crucially, Rhoss has opted for high-performance, ultra-low GWP refrigerants:
- R1234ze (ECO version): An HFO refrigerant with a GWP < 1, virtually eliminating direct greenhouse gas impact.
- R515B (ECOA1 version): An A1-class (non-flammable) blend with a GWP of 293, offering a safer alternative for indoor installations where safety classifications are paramount.
For heating applications, the optimized compressors in this range can produce hot water up to 72 C, making them ideal for modern district heating and industrial processes.
Mid-Range Mastery: WinFLOW and EasyFLOW
For the mid-market segment, Rhoss has introduced the WinFLOW ECO and EasyFLOW ECO ranges, which bridge the gap between efficiency and compact design.
- WinFLOW ECO: Operating on R454B (GWP 466), these units feature a four-scroll compressor configuration across two circuits. They offer exceptional seasonal efficiency, with a SEER of up to 6.60 and a Total Efficiency Ratio (TER) of 7.5 in multi-purpose versions.
- EasyFLOW ECO/ECOA1 HT: Targeting high-temperature requirements in a smaller footprint (70-220 kW), these units also leverage R1234ze to deliver hot water up to 68 C.
The Natural Revolution: UniPACK-PI and R290
Perhaps the most significant leap for Rhoss is the introduction of the UniPACK-PI range, which utilizes R290 (Propane). With a GWP of near zero (0.02), propane is widely considered the “forever” refrigerant for the industry.
The UniPACK-PI series (75-150 kW) features inverter-driven scroll compressors and a comprehensive safety suite, including leak detectors and dedicated ventilation, to manage the A3 flammability of propane. These units are capable of delivering hot water at a staggering 78 C, providing a direct “drop-in” solution for aging boiler systems in energy retrofits.
Intelligent Management: SIR and VPF_R
To ensure these hardware advancements translate into real-world energy savings, Rhoss has integrated its SIR (Rhoss Integrated Sequencer) and VPF_R (Variable Primary Flow) logic across the new lines. These systems allow for the coordinated management of up to four units in parallel, optimizing pump speeds and compressor stages to maintain peak efficiency even at partial loads.
“Sustainability is no longer a peripheral feature; it is the core of our engineering philosophy,” stated a Rhoss technical spokesperson. “By offering a choice between HFOs like R1234ze and natural refrigerants like R290, we are giving designers the tools to future-proof buildings for the next 20 years.”