Cold Link Africa November / December 2019 | Page 15

PROJECT
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
1 2
1, 2 & 3: The packhouse located in the scenic De Doorns area. 3
Here, depending on what time of the damage. Here, the grapes are cooled
day the grapes were picked, their to about 20°C which can be done in
temperature must be maintained or 20 minutes, depending on the internal
brought down before being packed. pulp temperature. The pre-cooler runs
It’s important that the temperature of at about 20°C with up to 90% humidity.
the grapes do not increase once they The incoming water temperature is kept
reach the packhouse. at 12°C. The pre-cooler is kitted out with
If the grapes are colder than 18°C,
they must be kept in the vineyard
four evaporators of 38kW each.
until the pulp temperature increases. PACKING PROCESS
Otherwise, if the temperature is below After the desired temperature is
the dew point when it comes in, this achieved in the pre-cooler, the grapes
will lead to condensation. That’s are lifted onto a conveyor belt and
also why it’s important that the pre- moved into the packhouse.
cooler doesn’t get too cold – to avoid Here, as many as 350 women will
condensation. Also, if it has rained, the process and pack the grapes when
grapes can only be picked three days working at full capacity. Although there
later to avoid potential rotting. are men working in the pre-cooler side,
From the airlock, the pallets are
pulled into the pre-cooler with trolley
jacks. No forklifts are allowed in the
packing facility to avoid any possible
Two Midea chillers are located outside of the packhouse. The 130kW and 200kW chillers provide a total cooling capacity of 330kW. Both chillers
run on R410a refrigerant.
COLD LINK AFRICA •
November/December 2019
www.coldlinkafrica.co.za
15