Reduction of emission, energy usage and maintenance costs

Commissioned by fruit grower Van der Grift in Zeist, GTI Koudetechniek has realised two cooling units that cool on the basis of propane.  Propane is a natural cooling agent that - compared to traditional, synthetic cooling agents - offers significant environmental advantages: it does not affect the ozone layer and does not contribute to the global warming effect. Before starting on the design and installation of the cooling units, GTI carried out a thorough feasibility study.

For the storage of hard fruit, Van der Grift wanted two cooling units on the basis of synthetic cooling agents. GTI advised however to switch to cooling units on the basis of propane. Such units offer important advantages to the environment, are easier and therefore less expensive to maintain and use less energy. The cooling units have meanwhile been delivered by GTI and offer a storage capacity for some 200 tons of apples or 240 tons of pears.

Explosion safety
Propane is a common cooling agent used in refrigerators and air-conditioning systems. It has never been applied before in the Dutch industry (outside the chemical industry) however, partly because of the possible risk of explosion. GTI has succeeded in minimising this risk and in fully engineering and installing the cooling units in accordance with ATEX and NPR7600 (practical regulations for the safe application of flammable cooling agents) standards.

The promotion of the usage in industry of natural cooling agents is one of GTI?s objectives. In 2001, for example, GTI successfully introduced cooling on the basis of CO2. GTI has meanwhile delivered dozens of industrial cooling installations based on CO2.

GTI focuses on technical services to building services, industrial firms and infrastructure projects in the Benelux. The GTI Industry sector, of which GTI Koudetechniek is a part, is a leading group of companies with an interlinked complete package of technical services for all industrial markets. In all segments of the market, GTI Industry is experienced in carrying out both large and small projects, either covering a single discipline or several, in new construction, renovation, maintenance and management.

GTI is part of FABRICOM, a leading European player in the field of electrical, mechanical and HVAC installations and the related maintenance. The Group?s companies (AXIMA in Europe, ENDEL and INEO in France, FABRICOM GTI in Belgium and GTI in the Netherlands) provide optimal solutions for customers in the Industry, Building services, Infra and services sectors. The Fabricom Group employs 47,000 people. In 2003, FABRICOM realised a turnover of 5.6 billion euros. Although it operates primarily in the Benelux and France, it is also active in numerous other European countries. FABRICOM is a 100% subsidiary of SUEZ.

For further information please contact:
GTI nv
Leen Geschiere, Corporate marketing and communication
Kosterijland 50, 3981 AJ  Bunnik; P.O. Box 210, 3980 CE  Bunnik, Netherlands
telephone: +31 (0)30 656 94 00; mobile: +31 (0)6 20 24 61 53; fax: +31 (0)30 656 94 15;
e-mail: info@gti-group.com; internet: www.gti-group.com