OLAB Joins R744.com as Bronze Partner

OLAB, an Italian manufacturer of components and accessories for CO2 (R744) HVAC&R systems, has joined the world's leading R744 HVAC&R stakeholders as a bronze partner of the R744.com marketplace.

With its more than 50 registered patents, the company provides "eco-friendly solutions" for refrigeration systems, including threaded fittings, valves, manifolds and protection devices rated up to 150bar (2,176psi) for industrial and commercial applications.

"Our production is constantly evolving," says OLAB on its website, stating that it seeks to apply its four core values: "history, people, passion, and technology."

"This innovative spirit, backed by decades of know-how, has enabled the company to develop an impressive range of cutting-edge solenoid valves, valves and fittings specifically designed for CO2 systems," said Battista Guerini, OLAB Refrigeration Sales Manager, adding that the company puts a "strong emphasis on sustainability."

OLAB's newest product is the patent-pending Series Revolution flanged ball valve designed to eliminate leaks in commercial and industrial installations of transcritical CO2 systems.

Rated for 150bar with a safety factor of three (450bar/6,527psi), the ball valve is weld-free and accommodates piping in diameter from 10 to 60.3mm (0.4 to 2.4in) at temperatures ranging from -50 to 150°C (-58 to 302°F).

The Series Revolution ball valve "promises to be a game-changer in the world of sustainable refrigeration," Guerini said, with its weld-free design that supports the high pressures associated with CO2 systems.

"Leaks in brass ball valves for refrigeration systems are attributable to welding on the ball-valve body," Guerini noted, adding that such welding works for pressures at 50bar (725psi) but eventually cracks at higher pressures.

OLAB's design welds tubes to each of the valve's flanges at two connection points for proper fitting. The welding is completed while the flanges are disconnected, and then stainless-steel screws – with O-rings ensuring the seal – attach each welded flange to the ball valve.

Founded in 1988, OLAB is a family-owned company "proudly preserving the MADE IN ITALY trademark," the company says on its website. OLAB employs 250 professionals and operates out of a 30,000m2 (322,917ft2) facility in Torbole Casaglia, Italy.

"[Our] innovative spirit, backed by decades of know-how, has enabled the company to develop an impressive range of cutting-edge solenoid valves, valves and fittings specifically designed for CO2 systems."