Star Cool 1.1: An Industry First in Refrigerant Flexibility
The global reefer industry is evolving, and with it comes the need for more adaptable and sustainable cooling solutions. Enter Star Cool 1.1, the latest advancement in reefer technology, designed to meet the changing demands of container operators while ensuring regulatory compliance and environmental responsibility.
Triple Refrigerant Flexibility for a Changing Market
One of the standout features of Star Cool 1.1 is its triple refrigerant capability. Operators can seamlessly switch between R134a, R513A, and the ultra-low GWP R1234yf, allowing them to future-proof their fleets against regulatory changes. Notably, switching to R1234yf can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to one ton per unit per year, providing a clear path toward greener operations.
R1234yf essentially nullifies the greenhouse gas emissions that would typically arise from refrigerant leakage, without penalizing the energy efficiency of the unit. This means that even though the refrigerant is ultra-low in global warming potential (GWP), the operational carbon emissions—those resulting from power generation used to operate the reefers—remain unaffected.
This flexibility ensures that operators can make informed choices based on cost, availability, and environmental impact—all without the need for additional hardware or software updates. Importantly, this is the industry’s agreed way forward, meaning that as environmental standards tighten globally, Star Cool 1.1 is already positioned to meet these demands.
Step-by-Step: Switching Refrigerants in Minutes
To complement this innovation, our latest video guide walks operators through the simple process of changing refrigerants on the Star Cool 1.1.
The switch itself is straightforward and follows the same charging procedure as R134a or R513A. With similar equipment and safety measures in place, the switch typically takes less than 30 minutes.
The process involves:
• Connecting the manifold service hose to the refrigerant bottle’s liquid port
• Evacuating hoses to remove any potential air
• Weighing the refrigerant bottle before charging to ensure accuracy
• Charging 4.5 kg of refrigerant, while closely monitoring the scale
• Starting the unit manually at 20 Hz for a faster charging process
• Closing all valves and replacing the refrigerant label on the unit
The final step? Simply select R1234yf in the controller, and the unit is ready to operate with its new refrigerant.
Effortless Sustainability
The true innovation of Star Cool 1.1 lies in its seamless switch to more sustainable refrigerants. Operators can easily transition to R1234yf—without the need for costly hardware upgrades or complex software updates—delivering significant CO₂ savings of up to one ton per reefer per year. This simple flexibility ensures that sustainability is not only achievable but effortless for operators.
Watch the Video Guide
For a detailed, step-by-step demonstration, watch our new instructional video on switching between refrigerants on the Star Cool 1.1. It highlights just how simple and efficient the process is—ensuring that operators can make the transition smoothly and confidently.
At Maersk Container Industry, we continue to push the boundaries of reefer technology, offering smarter, more flexible, and more sustainable solutions for the global cold chain. With Star Cool 1.1, the future of refrigerant flexibility is here.
