08 Nov Cold storage components

A cold storage is an essential commodity for almost anyone dealing in the food processing industry. Cold storages maintain controlled climatic conditions with temperature and humidity being the major parameters and with these, help extend the shelf life of various fresh and processed food products. Cold storages come in various sizes as per customised requirement. What goes into making a cold storage is high technical knowledge of various aspects of refrigeration and air conditioning. We will look into the major parts that go into constructing a cold storage.

Major components involved in the construction of a cold storage are

• PUF panels – Also known as Polyurethane Foam(PUF) panels , they provide excellent thermal insulation and structural strength. Their structure is typically like a sandwich with polyurethane being sandwiched between two layers of metal or similar material. These form the basis of a cold storage. They come in various thicknesses ranging from 50 mm to 200 mm depending on the storage requirements. One other reason why they are predominantly used is they increase energy efficiency by reducing heat loss in cold weather and heat gain in hot weather.

• Evaporator unit – This unit is located inside the cold storage and it absorbs heat that emanates from the product stored inside the cold storage which in turn causes a drop in the room temperature. The key components are evaporator coils (made of aluminium or copper) and fans. A low pressure refrigerant liquid passes through these coils causing it to evaporate and then absorb heat from the room. The common refrigerant liquids are R-134a, R-404a, and R-22

• Condensor unit – This is a crucial part of the cold storage system which helps in maintaining the temperature inside the room by removing or throwing heat out from the room. They are either water cooled or air cooled. Condensors are located outside the room and consists of 3 major components ; condenser coils (made of aluminium or copper), fans and condenser pumps.

• Compressor – This machine ensures the flow of the refrigerant gas in the system. This gas is then sent to the condenser unit.

Other essential components include racking and stacking systems, backup power supply, doors, seals, safety alarms and systems.

Mech-air industries is a leading supplier in the cold storage turnkey project sector. Further details can be availed on www.mechair.in

Fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, frozen foods, dairy products, and pharmaceutical products such as medicines as well as chemicals are the products that can be stored in a cold storage.