Italian manufacturer ROBUR showcases its commercial ammonia (R717) absorption heat pump and chiller (model GAHP-AR) for both European and U.S. markets at the AHR Expo, which took place February 6–8 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

Anthony Givens, Salesman for Robur, revealed that the ammonia absorption unit has an efficiency exceeding 140%, which outperforms traditional systems. Using ammonia as a natural refrigerant further spotlights its environmental credentials.

“The key advantage of ammonia absorption pumps is that they provide exceptional energy efficiency and their significant contribution to reducing carbon footprint,” said Givens. The units can be used for both space heating and cooling, as well as hot-water production.

The unit offers a heating capacity of 37.8KW (10.7TR) and a cooling capacity of 16.9kW (4.8TR), producing hot water at 60°C (140°F) and cold water at 3°C (37°F).

“Robur has been producing ammonia absorption pumps since 2003, leveraging the original absorption process developed by Albert Einstein and his student Leo Szilard,” said Givens. “These units embody the past, present, and future of absorption technology.”

These pumps were originally conceptualized for cooling, but now they have evolved into versatile units capable of functioning as refrigeration and heat pumps. “Their ability to reverse the process depending on the need makes them extremely adaptable in various applications,” said Givens.

Givens also highlighted the growing relevance of these absorption systems in commercial applications in cities seeking to lower their carbon emissions, like New York City. They enhance existing systems, boosting their efficiency without the need for a complete infrastructure overhaul. This makes them a practical solution where the building needs to comply with stricter energy-efficiency regulations.

Furthermore, these units are compact and powerful, “capable of providing heating or cooling for multiple apartments from a single installation,” Given said. “Due to their versatility and efficiency, these pumps are becoming an attractive solution for buildings planning to upgrade their HVAC systems.”

The systems use natural gas to trigger the ammonia absorption process, using very little electricity. This means they put very little stress on the electrical grid, reducing electricity requirements up to 86% compared to traditional electrical systems, Robur says.

According to the manufacturer’s catalog, the Robur GAHP-AR model provides the following advantages:

• Up to 39% utilization of air-source renewable energy
• Efficiency levels of more than 145% even at -7°C (19.4°F), so it is well-suited for cold climates
• Low carbon footprint
• Remote monitoring
• Ultra-low noise

“The key advantage of ammonia absorption pumps is that they provide exceptional energy efficiency and their significant contribution to reducing carbon footprint.”

Anthony Given, Salesman for Robur