© Cold Link Africa |
The Zire-Z entrance. |
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Leveraging a standard of 30kW cooling capacity for a 30-pallet ripening room, BRS collaborated closely with Metraclark and validated the refrigeration system ' s cooling capacity based on BRS ' s projections.
The rapid success of the initial phase comprising 23 ripening rooms, however, quickly exposed the facility ' s immediate need for expansion, as even 23 rooms proved insufficient for the rapidly growing banana volumes. All rooms were consistently full, leading to an immediate demand for eight new rooms, and a subsequent third phase ultimately increased the total number of ripening rooms to 42.
Switches in equipment came as and when alternative products were deemed to offer comparable quality at a more favourable price point. Airflow within the ripening rooms was a critical consideration, leading to an upgrade in fan capacity. " We upgraded the fans from 0.75kW to 1.1kW to give us a bit more airflow in the rooms," Seymore explains. These higher-capacity fans were supplied by AMS( Air Movement Supplies).
Beyond the core refrigeration components, the facility incorporated a range of other essential equipment. BRS manufactures the electrical DB boards in-house. The crucial control system, responsible for regulating temperature, humidity, ethylene levels( essential for ripening) and CO2, was sourced from CAREL. Dixell Controllers were also integrated into the system. Seymore noted a long-standing relationship with CAREL for customised control systems, allowing for tailored solutions to meet specific client needs. A
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commitment to long-term performance and minimising potential issues for their clients drives their choice of suppliers.
Electrical components, including switchgear, were supplied by RA Distributors, a local South African company known for its quality ACDC-branded products. BRS handles the wiring and testing of the DB boards at their facility before shipping them to the site for installation. The insulated panels forming the structure of the ripening rooms were supplied and installed by Panelman Engineering in Rosslyn, Pretoria. These panels were specified as 100mm thick with a density of 15DV and a standard white chromadek exterior with aluminum finishing. Access to the ripening rooms is facilitated by Stab-a-Load sectional vertical lifts and motorised doors, which also feature a manual override for operation during power outages, a practical consideration in the South African context.
The DCS-ZIRE Subtropico facility utilises a 30kW system featuring a split condensing unit, which they refer to as a‘ receiver set button on’ with the receiver set on the roof. This configuration places the compressor and receiver unit inside the building, typically on top of the ripening rooms, while the condenser unit is located externally.
Inside the ripening rooms, dual discharge coils are employed, either from HC Group or Metraclark. This design ensures efficient and even cooling by blowing air outwards from the sides of the unit, circulating it through the stacked bananas, and drawing air back in from the bottom. This system – designed by BRS many years ago – has proven highly
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Ethylene gas generator for ripening bananas.
effective over the years of installations across South Africa, as well as across southern Africa.
Seymore states that there were " actually no challenges " beyond the initial COVID-19 related delays. This is due to the team ' s extensive experience with such installations,
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and even in the event of technical issues, such as a control system malfunction, suppliers like CAREL are known for their prompt on-site support, often responding the same day.
Minimising power consumption is a significant benefit for the client, hence
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Bracken Refrigeration Services |