High-Stakes System Upgrade

In the NHL, performance isn't just important – it's everything. Ice conditions can make or break games, affect player safety, and determine career outcomes. When Capital One's 24-year-old R22 refrigeration system reached the end of its useful life and became unreliable, the facility faced a critical decision.

The challenge was multifaceted: the Arena needed a refrigeration system that could deliver consistent, reliable performance under the most demanding conditions professional hockey can present, and the replacement had to be done within an extremely tight timeline. Downtime was not an option; the new system had to be installed and fully operational in between seasons.

CIMCO rose to the challenge and completed all work on site in only eight weeks, between mid-May and the end of July last year, so the rink could be commissioned in time for the new season in August.

CO₂ Comes Out on Top

When CIMCO first began discussions with Capital One three years ago, the options were limited: ammonia, CO₂, or R513. Ammonia was immediately ruled out due to the location of the existing equipment room, which wouldn't meet safety requirements for an ammonia plant. This left the choice between CO₂ and R513 technology.

While there was initial resistance due to misinformation about CO₂ circulating in the marketplace, Nationwide Arena's successful installation, together with proven results, provided the confidence Capital One needed to select CO_2.

The Arena also recognized the long-term advantages of choosing CO₂ over interim refrigerants. It didn't want to face another major renovation due to future regulatory changes. "Many arenas have put in R513 refrigerant, but ten years from now, R513 might not be readily available anymore as fluorinated refrigerants face ongoing phasedowns," Brad Wilkins, US Recreation Team Lead at CIMCO, explains.

CIMCO's fact-based presentation ultimately convinced the Arena that CO₂ technology was right for their facility. The decision was further supported by a $100,000 grant.

Built for Performance and Reliability

The final refrigeration system configuration at Capital One Arena prioritizes both peak performance and operational redundancy. The installation features a 170TR primary CO₂ package paired with a 100TR backup system on emergency power, meeting NHL guidelines for redundancy. This dual-system approach ensures the ice can hold throughout the game, even if the main package goes down.

Operationally, the backup system handles low-activity days and practice sessions, while the main package delivers full performance during games when operators focus on maintaining the critical 22°F surface temperature at all costs.

The project also required solving a significant technical challenge: reusing the existing cooling tower infrastructure. CIMCO engineered a custom solution that allowed the Arena to preserve its cooling tower investment while successfully upgrading to CO₂ technology.

Delivering Under Game-Day Pressure

The CO₂ system's advantages become most apparent during the sport's most demanding moments – game days. When thousands of fans enter the building, the thermal load is massive, putting the refrigeration system under enormous pressure to maintain the required temperatures.

The pressure is particularly high during intermission, explains Al Karl, Director Ice Hockey Operations. The Arena usually has just eight minutes to resurface the ice between periods, as entertainment activities often consume a large portion of the 20-minute window.

“What I’m noticing with the new CO₂ refrigeration system is the quick turnaround. The ice holds up; it can hold the players so they can do their thing. I credit a lot of that to the refrigeration system,” says Karl.

The upgraded refrigeration system has delivered exceptional results in this area. "The CO₂ system's superior heat transfer capabilities allow ice to set up quickly, giving facility managers crucial flexibility when timing gets tight,” explains Wilkins.

Maintaining precise surface temperatures is not just about performance; it is also critical for player safety. "Once the temperature starts to climb, it can become unsafe," Wilkins warns. "If the ice is not holding the starts, stops, and turns, players can trip or get into ruts and seriously hurt themselves.

Raising the Bar With Advanced Controls

The new refrigeration installation also includes CIMCO's iQ+ control system, which has transformed facility operations, according to the Capital One Arena team. The system provides data like real-time thermal imaging that shows warm spots on the ice surface, enabling precise adjustments during critical moments.

"The IQ system has given them a different perspective on the plant operations and the ability to do things that they never had before," Wilkins explains.

The system includes historic trending capabilities, alarm logging, and email or text message alerts that help optimize performance and prevent issues before they impact operations. This visibility provides crucial peace of mind during high-pressure situations.

Heat Recovery Advantages

CO₂'s thermodynamic properties make it exceptionally well-suited for ice rink applications. The system offers unique heat recovery capabilities that other refrigerants cannot match. The installation provides both 95°F and 140°F heat recovery. “It’s the only refrigerant that can efficiently recover a large percentage of waste heat at 140°F without requiring a specially built two-stage heat recovery chiller or a separate stand-alone heat pump in series,” Wilkins points out.

The Capitals are exploring additional applications for this recovered heat, including a snow melt coil and preheated water storage for Zamboni operations.

Successful Execution Under Pressure

Despite the challenging timeline, the project was completed on schedule and within budget. The installation also marked a milestone for CIMCO as the first pump package built at their Duncan office, reducing transport costs and timelines.

"Overall, this job was a huge success," Wilkins confirms. "The commissioning went fantastically."

The successful installation has also since become part of hockey history. Alex Ovechkin scored his 895th career goal at Capital One Arena on the new CO₂-cooled ice, breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL record.