TPI November 2024

Business & market news

Compressor valve steel boosts sustainability and energy efficiency for refrigeration

including air conditioning equipment, heat pumps and freezers. The iFreeflex ® Versa, in particular, opens up new possibilities for enhancing performance and efficiency in these essential household and commercial appliances. The global demand for cooling systems is rising due to population growth, urbanisation, higher living standards and climate change. The International Energy Agency reports that air conditioners and electric fans account for about 20 per cent of electricity used in buildings worldwide, or 10 per cent of all global electricity consumption. Therefore, using more energy-efficient cooling systems is crucial. Research by Alleima over a 10-year period to 2022 showed that Alleima Hiflex™ improved air conditioner energy efficiency by an estimated 18 per cent. Alleima Versa is the next generation of this product and advances energy efficiency further. Alleima www.alleima.com

resistance and the ability to contribute to noise reduction and downsizing. At the International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conference at Purdue University, USA, Alleima will present the exploration of the development of the new compressor valve steel variant Freeflex ® Versa, as well as showcasing its dynamic valve steel portfolio, tailored to meet specific technological demands. The company’s commitment to developing lighter, stronger and more durable materials underscores its dedication to fostering energy efficient and sustainable applications. “Even a small piece of steel can have a great impact. Our premium compressor valve steel provides increased design freedom, leading to more energy efficient appliances and products,” said Anders Hoel, PhD in material science and senior research engineer, at Alleima. Alleima’s compressor valve steel is ideally suited for a variety of applications,

Alleima has released its latest compressor valve steel Freeflex ® Versa, a successor of the award-winning Freeflex ® Core. The new material contributes to designing smaller, more sustainable and more energy efficient compressors for refrigerators, and freezers. It is pioneering compressor valve steel with high fatigue resistance, residual stresses and wear resistance. Alleima, a global manufacturer of products in advanced stainless steels and special alloys, has pioneered advancements in compressor valve steels to meet the latest energy efficiency standards in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) applications in recent years. Freeflex ® Versa represents progress in compressor valve steel technology. Building upon the success of its predecessor Hiflex™ and Freeflex ® Core this martensitic stainless steel is engineered with a focus on catering to the unique requirements of reciprocating and linear technologies. Notable features of Freeflex ® Versa include fatigue resistance, wear

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TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL November 2024

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