Daikin has announced the release of a new range of environmentally friendly R-32 Water-to-Water heat pumps and Condenserless chillers with Daikin design scroll compressors. Available from April 2024, the new EW*T~Q-X*A1 range will feature a new modular approach to system design, which introduces additional flexibility in configuration. Breaking away from the more traditional ‘package’ solution, the modular approach allows the required capacity to be reached by combining smaller units piped together and controlled as a single entity while optimising the system footprint. Modular construction offers significant additional benefits in placement and installation, making units easier to transport, handle and position with the added advantage of allowing a full Plug & Play solution when including the Daikin Manifold Kit and Pump Module to a system.
Extensive application flexibility
The new EW(W/H)T~Q-X*A1 heat pump versions can ensure heating or cooling operation under many different conditions. Hot water can be produced up to +60°C; whilst chilled water is supplied in the range from -15°C (water-glycol mixture) to +30 °C evaporator leaving water temperature.
Consequently, the range of applications that can be covered is wide and includes comfort heating, space and process cooling, and heat recovery.
Composed of three base modules offering 100, 125 and 160 kW capacities respectively, the range features Daikin DOL scroll compressors and is available in two sound versions including a reduced sound variant which is suitable for noise-sensitive indoor/outdoor installations associated with residential, hotel and hospital applications.
Unit configurations by type include:
• EWWT~G- Water-to-Water Heat Pump with inversion on water side
• EWHT~Q- Water-to-Water Heat Pump with inversion on refrigerant side (100 kW only)
• EWLT~Q- Condenserless Chiller (Requiring third party heat rejection)
The benefits of modularity
Scalability
Thanks to its modularity, the new EW*T~Q-X*A1 offers the potential for scalability, reducing initial investment costs while opening up the possibility for future expansion with additional modules installed as building occupancy increases. The introduction of a common scroll layout ensures greater compatibility, helping to promote system longevity and making future system upgrades less complicated. The modules can be combined as a side-by-side array or stacked to minimise space requirements, especially useful for retrofit applications.
Compactness
The main module is very compact and can be easily transported and positioned within the installation space. A single module has a footprint of 120 cm wide, 130 cm deep and 100 cm high, allowing for easy handling with a forklift without the need for unloading with a crane, as would often be the case when using a traditional large capacity package solution.
Plug & play installation
Installation can be further simplified by employing the Daikin Manifold Kit, designed to simplify the process of connecting the water side piping of modules together. Each manifold is equipped as standard with manual isolation valves for all connections, permitting the exclusion of each module from the hydronic system in case of maintenance without the need to isolate the entire network.
Moreover, a dedicated Pump Module equipped with inverter pumps can easily be added to an array of modules for full flexibility. This module includes an expansion tank compatible with a volume of 18 litres.
Additional options and Accessories offered with this new range include the possibility for single power supply and addition of items such as Daikin on-site Remote Monitoring, Power Factor Correction, Variable Primary Flow, and much more.
The EW*T~Q-X*A1 unit controller comprises a numerical display and is supplied with an intuitive interface which allows the user to configure, operate and service the unit with ease. Master/Slave sequencing up to four units and Modbus RTU MSTP connectivity are supplied as Standard. Inclusion of EKCBMS accessory allows for Modbus TCP, BACnet MSTP/IP external BMS communication.
Lower operating costs
Thanks to its modular design, the new EW*T~Q-X*A1 can closely follow the cooling and heating load profile of the building. This is particularly relevant, as it ensures low operating costs of the HVAC plant at part load conditions, which is a typical characteristic of comfort applications. The same is not true for traditional package chillers, as in part load conditions the package chiller cannot deliver the required load according to EN14825. This means that the chiller would have to perform a series of on-off cycles, introducing inefficiency in the operation.
Delivering outstanding energy performance with limited environmental impact
Daikin is committed to continuous design improvement aimed at reducing the environmental impact of its cooling, heating and refrigeration solutions. Daikin BLUEVOLUTION chillers use R-32 refrigerant, which has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 675, just one-third of R-410A. This, in conjunction with high-energy efficiency, has the potential to reduce a building’s carbon footprint substantially. The reduction in required refrigerant charge enabled by the use of R-32 offers further efficiencies while reducing installation and service costs.
