SUPERMARKET REFRIGERATION
technology and some retailers have adopted this as a short-term solution. In terms of access to the cabinet for shopping and restocking, this option is preferable to the use of doors. Shelf edge technology straightens the air curtain but it does not stop the spillage of cold air and therefore does not deliver a sufficient reduction in energy consumption and costs to make a tangible difference. Moreover, there is no evidence to suggest that shelf edge technology makes any positive contribution to temperature bandwidth and humidity.
Disruptive technology - Aircell The industry needs to adopt fundamental changes in cabinet design now to support the drive for 2050 Carbon Zero. Aircell challenges conventional refrigeration principles, introducing a fundamental change in cabinet design. It uses advanced air flow management techniques to seal the front of the open cabinet with short robust air curtains, which are more efficient than a full case height air curtain on a conventional multi deck case. The short air curtains contain the internal pressure caused by the cold air inside the cabinet. The limiting of cold air spillage creates a substantial reduction in energy consumption for less emissions and lower costs. A 1250 mm integral cabinet incorporating Aircell, fitted with a night blind for non-trading hours, can offer typical average energy savings of £979 per year compared to a standard open front cabinet. When compared to an open front cabinet with shelf edge technology Aircell offers typical average annual energy savings of £785. Aircell energy consumption is comparable with glass door cabinets operating at a door opening frequency of 20 per hour (one every three minutes).
Reduced outflow of chilled air has
beneficial implications for accurate and stable temperatures within the cabinet, ensuring tighter temperature bandwidths for improved food quality, safety and shelf life. During an in-store trial, cabinet air temperature within an Aircell cabinet was measured to a bandwidth of 3° C, compared with an average range of 13°C in the store’s
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existing open front multi deck. The superior temperature and humidity characteristics also have positive implications for food quality, enabling a reduction in the use of plastic packaging.
The open front design and
adjustable shelving configurations of Aircell provide high visibility and unfettered access to merchandise for ease of shopping, order picking and restocking. Aircell also mitigates cold aisle syndrome, improving the shopping experience. This technology is fully demonstrated and is now commercially available. Aircell has been designed to be incorporated within existing cabinet models, allowing OEMs to maintain their trading relationships with retailers and equipment specifiers. We are not a cabinet manufacturer and we are not in competition with OEMs. Our aim is to form partnerships with manufacturers to deliver more efficient refrigerated display solutions for retailers.
What next? Investment in new and disruptive refrigeration technology, such as Aircell, will provide benefits for grocery traders and planet Earth. Energy savings, lower carbon emissions, reduced food waste and less plastic packaging will have positive implications for retailers’ profit and loss accounts, whilst at the same time limit environmental impact. Covid-19 has been a massive distraction that has seen changes in priorities and policies. However, we must not take our eyes off the environmental issues facing our industry and now is the time to refocus on changing retail refrigeration for the better. There have been advances in technology, but the adoption of such initiatives has been slow. The introduction of energy labelling regulations in 2021 may go some way to accelerating progress, but as suggested recently by the Foodservice Equipment Association, further central government initiatives, such as manufacturer credits, scrappage schemes and additional legislation are likely to be required if we are to reach the carbon neutral goal of 2050 or before.
SUPERMARKET REFRIGERATION
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October 2020 35
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