COLD STORAGE
How emergency cold storage units are the answer
It is no exaggeration to say that the average cold store, at any given point, can contain millions of pounds worth of stock. With such large sums at stake, it is clear to see why these warehouses are dependent on the continued, reliable operation of chilling systems to keep air temperature at -22°C or below to maintain product integrity. Matt Watson, sector specialist for manufacturing at Aggreko explains:
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f large scale chilling systems were to break down, rising store temperatures due to an influx of ambient air can present a major problem for store ownewrs and operators. Cold storage warehouses are subject to extremely stringent quality control, and a variation in temperature by only a few degrees can mean the entire stored stock will need to be disposed of, often at large financial cost.
Standard practice in this situation dictates that store managers lock down the affected store, preserving the temperature for as long as possible. This will preserve room temperature for a few days, but can impact the supply chain served by the cold store. As such, it is extremely important that warehouse owners and operators take swift and decisive action during this tight time window. By doing so, product integrity can be maintained with minimum disruption.
Slower response
The traditional response in this situation is to select a refrigeration solution that includes installing several air handling units inside the affected site, with chillers and hoses installed outside. Yet setting up this apparatus can take two to three days, during which the temperature will be continually rising, placing the stock at risk. As a result, it is of paramount importance that operators react extremely quickly when breakdown occurs. However, system failure is
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often sudden and unexpected, so an immediate, planned response cannot be guaranteed. Consequently, though the new installation may ensure the store remains operational with temperature restored to -22°C, clients may still have to throw thousands of pounds worth of spoiled stock away due to the rising temperatures in the two-to-three-day window.
Plug-and-play emergency cold storage The issues that arise during this time period can be avoided through the use of temporary air-cooled low temperature DX units. These units, offered solely by temperature control service provider Aggreko, offer a plug-and-play solution with all apparatus – including the direct expansion unit – housed within a single, easily- transportable container. As such, the longer set-up times associated with more traditional emergency cooling installations do not apply. The fact the entire solution is housed within a single unit is therefore crucial for operators of freezing and cooling storage rooms. Designed for rapid response, an emergency cold storage unit can be installed within hours of arrival, returning the store’s temperature to regular levels quickly, with minimal disruption to warehouse operations. Furthermore, the speed at which the solution can be installed means it is not necessary to throw away affected goods or decant them into another cold store.
Additionally, the technology is highly adaptable and can be used for multiple site processes, such as blast freezing. This process involves the rapid cooling down of hot products – food, for example – to ambient temperatures, allowing for quick packaging without sweat occurring inside the wrapper.
Holding chill applications are also possible, where goods can be transported in a frozen state via a holding freezer, in which they remain until needed by the customer. Such units can also be implemented for chilled storage operations, allowing warehouse owners and operators to maintain a 0°C air temperature, keeping products that need to be stored at refrigeration temperatures intact.
Single container
The single container design of such units also presents excellent operator ease-of-use, as all settings and operating processes can be made externally. It also means space concerns around traditional solutions, which require the installation of pumps, hoses and chillers in what can often be a very tight environment, can be avoided.
As a result, installations are more cost- effective, shorter and logistically simpler – vital concerns during system breakdowns, where a quick, effective response is of paramount importance. The comparatively quicker
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