PROJECT
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
CO 2 trans-critical installation — a processing plant first
By John Ackermann
A deep commitment to producing delicatessen products that are of the highest quality , safe to eat , and have the least impact on the environment , swayed the decision towards CO 2 refrigeration for the new BM Food Manufacturers plant in Montague Gardens .
To meet an increase in the demand for their popular range of Mediterranean Delicacies branded products , BM Food Manufacturers opted to completely revamp their 18-year-old plant in Montague Gardens , Cape Town . The interior of the 1 200m 2 building , with its simplex R22 refrigeration units , was totally gutted . The new plant needed to meet EU standards , be energy efficient , and have minimal impact on the environment . In the processing of readyto-eat soups and prepared meals , the refrigeration plant consumes the largest portion of power .
As the long-standing refrigeration contractor to BM Food Manufacturers , Richard Drinkrow of Mainstream Refrigeration was asked to design a plant that would meet all the requirements and place Mediterranean ahead of future market trends . A plant with a refrigerant that would not be threatened by international environmental agreements was a key consideration . Of all the refrigerants available , natural refrigerants in the form of CO 2 and ammonia with a global warming potential of 1 and 0 , have the least impact on the environment
The coil of the electronic ‘ descaler ’ is wrapped around the outside of the water feed pipe . Scaling is prevented by the ionisation of the water .
A pressure regulator maintains sufficient pressure at all the takeoff points of hot water when any tap is opened .
Photos by John Ackermann
The first building on the Montague Gardens site has administration offices , it stores finished products , and has a production area for dips and meze .
28 www . coldlinkafrica . co . za COLD LINK AFRICA • October 2018