INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
PROJECT
FOCUS ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY
Beyond operational flexibility, energy efficiency was a cornerstone of the facility ' s upgrade, reflecting CCH ' s commitment to minimising environmental impact and maximising operational output. Leveraging its past as a freezer store, the facility already boasted exceptional insulation, with 250-millimetre-thick wall insulation and insulated floors. This robust thermal envelope provides superior insulation for rooms now operating at higher temperatures( around 0 ° C), significantly reducing the overall energy load. It was finished with aesthetically pleasing and durable stainless steel cladding in the plant room and on the top side.
Comprehensive upgrades were implemented to further enhance efficiency. All motors on site were upgraded to IE3 efficiency class, replacing less efficient IE1 motors. Variable Speed Drives( VSDs) were extensively installed on motors across the system, including on compressors and the pressure cooling fans within the tunnels. These VSDs allow precise matching of output to cooling demand, eliminating wasted energy and enabling airflow velocity to be adjusted based on fruit type – for example, higher speed for grapes, lower for citrus- and cooling stage( high airflow during pulldown, reduced during holding).
The HCS intelligent control system( a sophisticated SCADA system) forms the intelligent backbone of the facility ' s operations, playing a vital role in energy saving. This advanced system continuously monitors fruit and room
Plant room pipework.
temperatures, dynamically adjusting compressor speeds, condenser fan motors and pressure cooling fan speeds. It automatically detects when fruit reaches its target temperature, adjusting pressure cooling fans to a lower speed and frequency to reduce power draw as the system moves from active pulldown to a holding state. On the compressor side, the automated system uses VSDs to accurately manage the load, starting compressors
individually based on suction temperature demand rather than multiple units competing for control, leading to highly efficient operation. Further efficiency measures included automatic purging to remove uncondensable gases from the system, ensuring optimal heat transfer, and plans for power factor correction with a new panel on the main incomer. These enhancements allow the facility to operate 24 / 7 during peak citrus season,
Plant room new electrical panel.
COLD LINK AFRICA • September 2025 www. coldlinkafrica. co. za
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