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Development

Assistance in technical development of heat pumps, refrigerators, freezers and cooling systems

Whether you need troubleshooting, system optimization, or full product-development support, Re/Gent provides practical, targeted engineering solutions based on theoretical modelling, real testing and hands-on experience.

We have strong expertise in both the theoretical and practical development of refrigerators, refrigeration systems, heat pumps, and other thermal technologies. With deep knowledge of thermal design, thermodynamics, and component behavior, we carry out detailed studies and development projects that lead to engineering solutions and feasibility prototypes. 

We don’t only analyze products. We help you to improve them. Our engineering approach focuses on solving real design challenges and optimizing system performance cost effectively. 

We can support you with: 

  • Engineering solutions for appliances or components
  • Optimization of existing refrigerators and freezers to reduce costs, increase efficiency and improve reliability (for existing or new products) 
  • Refrigerant conversion activities
  • Evaporator, condenser or any other heat exchanger optimization
  • Refrigerant selection and/or charge optimization to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact 
  • Reduction of overall energy consumption through improved system design and control 
  • Improved compartment temperature control for more stable and accurate performance 

Case studies

Case Study: Heat Pump

This heat pump development project began with the careful selection of the most suitable natural refrigerant, chosen for its performance, safety, and environmental benefits. Based on this choice, the optimal system configuration was defined to achieve high efficiency under real operating conditions. 

The heat pump was designed from the ground up, with components carefully selected and dimensioned to match the refrigerant and meet the required performance targets. A critical step in the process involved evaluating and minimizing the refrigerant charge to below 150 grams of R-290 for this air-source heat pump, which ultimately guided the final selection of heat exchanger sizes. 

After assembling the prototype, we carried out performance measurements to assess efficiency, capacity, and stability. Practical testing also revealed valuable insights into system behavior and opportunities for further optimization. 

Additional evaluations were performed to estimate how alternative heat exchanger sizes would influence overall performance. These insights help guide future design improvements and confirm the strong potential of this low charge natural-refrigerant heat pump concept. 

Case study: Heineken Blade Cooling System

Heineken’s Blade system required a compact, reliable, and energy efficient cooling solution capable of delivering perfectly chilled beer in a small footprint. Re/Gent was selected to support the development of the refrigeration system thanks to our expertise in natural refrigerants, thermodynamic optimization, and prototype testing. 

To meet the performance and efficiency targets, Re/Gent engineered a customized R600a compressor-based cooling system. Using advanced thermodynamic modelling, we explored multiple design concepts and predicted system behavior under realistic load and ambient conditions. 

Several prototype versions were built and tested in our laboratory to refine heat exchanger configuration, control strategy, and overall efficiency. Each iteration brought improvements in cooling performance, energy use, and robustness. 

The final design achieved a highly efficient cooling system, significantly outperforming typical thermoelectric (Peltier) solutions. By applying compressor cooling with R600a, the Blade system combines speed, stability, and sustainability, helping Heineken deliver a premium pouring experience worldwide. 

Case study: Ultra Efficient Beverage Cooler

Re/Gent participated in a European Commission funded project, called iCool, aimed at redefining energy performance in commercial beverage cooling. The goal was ambitious: dramatically reduce the heat load and develop one of the most energy efficient beverage coolers ever produced. 

To achieve this, Re/Gent applied advanced technologies traditionally used in high-efficiency domestic refrigerators. By combining deep thermodynamic analysis with practical engineering expertise, we redesigned key aspects of the beverage cooler, including insulation strategy, airflow management, and component selection. 

Through calculations,  iterative prototyping and laboratory testing, we were able to minimize thermal losses and optimize the refrigeration cycle far beyond typical commercial practice. The result was a high-performance beverage cooler with substantially reduced energy consumption, while maintaining fast pull down times and stable product temperatures. 

This project demonstrated how expertise from domestic refrigeration can be successfully translated into commercial applications, delivering tangible gains in efficiency, sustainability, and operational cost. 

Case study: Compact Ice Cream Freezer

Re/Gent was commissioned to develop a small ice cream freezer with a clear and ambitious goal: minimize the size of the cooling system while maintaining optimal temperature performance. 

To achieve this, our engineers combined thermodynamic modelling, component optimization, and practical testing. We carefully selected  the compressor, the heat exchanger, and the refrigerant to ensure that every cubic centimeter of the system contributed to efficient cooling. 

Several prototype iterations were built and tested in our laboratory. These tests validated that the reduced-volume system could maintain stable, low temperatures required for ice cream storage, while improving overall energy efficiency and operational reliability. 

The project demonstrates Re/Gent’s ability to deliver compact, innovative cooling solutions that meet strict performance requirements, even in constrained spaces.