FEATURE
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Image by © Cold Link Africa
The cold room and display freezers which were part of last month ’ s project at Babylonstoren .
operate comfortably at -25 ° C for extended periods , up to two to three hours . With this increased comfort , workers can then be equipped with voice technology , significantly enhancing efficiency . Voice picking systems have shown to be extremely effective ; for instance , an Australian cold store reported that their investment in voice picking paid off within six weeks due to increased productivity ,” says Cunningham .
“ For existing cold storage facilities looking to integrate mobile racking , retrofitting is a viable option . Contrary to common belief , it ' s possible to retrofit mobile racking systems . Techniques include overlay slabs or cutting into floors to install rails , depending on the floor ' s condition and insulation . Properly educating employees on the importance and function of heater mats , which prevent frost damage to the floor , is essential for maintaining the integrity of the storage environment .
“ Future-proofing new cold storage facilities by installing rails for potential mobile racking systems is a prudent strategy . This approach was exemplified by a project in Namibia , where pre-installed rails ten years later allowed for the easy addition of mobile racking , doubling storage capacity and significantly reducing costs . The investment paid for itself in less than six months .”
In the fruit storage sector , Barpro has observed a shift towards mobile racking after years of reliance on fixed racking systems – typically because fruit stores are not freezer stores , and the product moves faster . “ Fruit storage presents unique challenges , such as higher pallet weights and the need for more space around pallets to accommodate slight leaning .”
He notes that in Central and East Africa , traditional cold storage models are being replaced by more sophisticated , albeit expensive , solutions . However , the Kingspan Modularis system offers a costeffective alternative : this freestanding cold store doesn ' t require an external structure and can be equipped with rails for future mobile racking installation , providing an economical yet efficient solution for the region ' s growing cold storage needs . “ If you also future-proof it with mobile rails , it is a great saving .”
Additional innovations in mobile racking include specialised applications such as drum storage , meat hanging , and wine storage – markets which are currently under-served by mobile racking .
THE LATEST ADVANCES IN FREEZER DESIGN
“ The biggest move in the market at the moment is with regard to the refrigerant and the need for HC gas to replace HFC . This poses a challenge for manufacturers of commercial units designed to operate in high ambient conditions ( above 32 ° C ) due to the physical size of the HC compressor needed to achieve this performance ,” says Sebastian Hills , sales director : Staycold International , commenting on emerging technologies that are influencing the future of freezer design and functionality , and the latest advancements in freezer design .
Regarding technologies that Staycold is incorporating , he adds : “ Staycold is working with our compressor partners to have a range of compressors developed that will allow us to make this move and still achieve our high ambient temperature performance ( up to 40 ° C ).”
Maintaining freezers can present several challenges , but addressing these issues effectively is key to ensuring optimal performance . “ One common challenge is managing the condenser , which plays a crucial role in handling high ambient temperatures . Regular cleaning of the condenser is essential for the unit to function efficiently , and this task is straightforward . To assist with this , we ’ ve created easy-to-follow instructional videos available on our YouTube channel . Another significant concern is the temperature differential between the freezer ' s interior and the outside environment , which can range from 30-40 ° C ambient temperatures to -20 ° C inside the unit , creating a 50-60 ° C temperature swing . To combat this , it ’ s important to regularly check and replace door gaskets , if necessary , as they help prevent external air from leaking into the cabinet ,” says Hills .
Additionally , user-related issues such as overstocking or placing unfrozen items into the freezer can affect its performance . Addressing these practices with users can help mitigate their impact and maintain the freezer ’ s efficiency .
14 www . coldlinkafrica . co . za COLD LINK AFRICA • October 2024