Introduction to Cold Storage
Cold storages are used to prevent spoilage and waste of food. The use of cold storage units has greatly expanded over time with advancements in air conditioning and refrigeration technologies.
Cold storage units, through their cooling processes, have significantly impacted industries, lifestyles, agriculture, and many other areas. The idea of preserving food has been with humans since ancient times, and this idea has evolved over time.
In recent years, the technology for building mechanical cold storage units has advanced rapidly. The use of this product has also made more food available to people at different times of the year, maintaining better food quality.
The history of building this device dates back to the 19th century when they were similar to small refrigerators. However, over time and with industrial advancements, these refrigerators gave way to modern cold storage.
The largest cold storage units in terms of size are industrial cold storage units, which require a lot of space and area for construction. They are used for various applications such as storing diverse food items like red meat and its products, poultry, fish, etc., as well as for storing medicines and agricultural products like fruits and vegetables.
Classification of Cold Storages Based on Temperature
Cold storages are classified based on temperature into four categories: above-zero, below-zero, freezing tunnels, and ice cream cold storage units.
Above-Zero Cold Storage
Most products cannot be stored at low temperatures as doing so causes damage to the physical and chemical structure of the product, gradually lowering the quality of the goods. Therefore, cold storage units with temperatures above zero degrees are needed.
Typically, above-zero industrial cold storage is used when the product is stored for a short period. The storage temperature of above-zero cold storage is +1 to +4 degrees Celsius, except in special storage like date cold storage, where the storage temperature is usually zero degrees, or some other special products which we will discuss in a separate article.
Above-zero cold storage can also be divided into short-term or long-term categories. In short-term cold storage, products usually do not stay in the cold storage for long and are quickly removed for consumption and replaced with new products.
Depending on the type of product, the storage time changes from one to two days to a week or more, but it rarely exceeds 15 days. However, sometimes the storage duration in these cold storage units is longer than this.
The construction of long-term storage cold storage is done in commercial warehouses (public cold storage units). In this case, the storage time depends on the type and condition of the incoming product. There is also a model of long-term above-zero cold storage that has an atmospheric control system, which we will discuss in a separate article.
It should be noted that this type of cold storage is mostly used for agricultural products like fruits and vegetables, which should not stay in cold storage for a long time as they lose their quality and freshness.
Additionally, above-zero cold storage is used for storing medicines and some dairy products like milk, yogurt, and buttermilk. The price of above-zero cold storage largely depends on its application and the equipment used in its system according to its design.
Below-Zero Cold Storage
The operating temperature in these cold storage units is around -18 degrees Celsius. The goal in these storages is to freeze the products, unlike above-zero cold storage units, where the goal is only to cool the products.
Generally, below-zero cold storage units are used for storing protein products such as red meat and its products, poultry, fish, and food items like butter and cheese. The storage time in these cold storage units is long-term. The price of this type of cold storage, like above-zero cold storage, depends on its application and the equipment used in its system according to its design.
Freezing Tunnel
In recent years, freezing tunnels have been a choice for factories and producers. With the increasing demand for products available throughout the year, food producers more than ever feel the need to access tools like freezing tunnels.
However, simply freezing products is not enough. The freezing technology used must be good enough to preserve the quality, taste, and texture of the product. This is where freezing tunnels come into play.
Freezing tunnels are unique Individual Quick Freeze (IQF) freezers that can freeze large quantities of products in a short time, ensuring that products freeze without sticking together, thus maintaining their quality. This specialized freezing method is known as IQF.
This process is done in three different ways:
- Freezing by cold air circulation: In this method, cold air is blown over the food products. Depending on various factors like the type of product and system capacity, this is done within a specified time. For better air circulation, the food products are arranged in a specific way, and ground and air evaporators are used to blow the air.
- Freezing by indirect contact: This method uses plate evaporators to freeze. The refrigerant passes through these plates, and the food products are in contact with the surface of the plate. This method is used for a small volume of food products.
- Freezing by immersing food products in cold liquid: This method is used for freezing some materials, with the advantage of freezing products separately and preventing food products from piling up. A drawback of this method is the penetration of liquid into the food product, which reduces the product quality.
The temperature in freezing tunnels is about -40 degrees Celsius. The commercial applications of freezing tunnels are very extensive and diverse, depending on the industry in which the freezing tunnel is used.
However, the most common use of freezing tunnels is seen in the food and manufacturing industries. Industries involved in the production and distribution of freshwater and saltwater fish, packaged fruits and vegetables, and various meats use freezing tunnels.
Freezing tunnels are also used for freezing products like cooked foods, pastries, and processed foods.
Additionally, freezing tunnels are used for medical equipment that needs to be stored at a specific temperature and for processing industrial chemicals that require reaching specific temperature thresholds.
Ice Cream Cold Storage
In ice cream cold storage units, generally, two-stage compressors are used. These compressors, also known as double-stage compressors, compress the refrigerant, which is in gas form, in two stages and have good efficiency and performance. The design temperature in these cold storage units is less than -18 degrees Celsius. Ice cream is made up of components like fat and cream, which melt quickly; therefore, to maintain its structure, it must be stored at a low temperature, which the two-stage compressor cold storage provides.
This type of cold storage comes in two models, fixed and mobile. The fixed type is specific to ice cream factories, where the ice cream is stored after production until it is ready for shipment to stores. The mobile type, which is mounted on vehicles, is used to transport ice cream from the factory to stores and shops.
Classification of Cold Storage Based on Dimensions and Volume
Cold storages are classified into three categories based on volume and dimensions:
Cold Room
Cold rooms are used to create small or medium-sized cold storage units, typically employed in hotels, restaurants, fruit storage facilities, and food distribution centers.
The installation involves insulating the desired room and then installing the cold storage units inside it. The price of cold rooms varies based on their type.
Mobile Cold Storage
If you need a small or medium-sized cold storage but do not have the appropriate space for a cold room, you can use mobile or container cold storage.
These cold storage units come in three types: fixed, mobile, and showcase. They are movable and can be placed wherever needed. The fixed type can be installed in any space without installation space limitations.
The mobile type is designed to be moved using a vehicle like a trailer, useful for transporting and moving food products from one location to another.
The showcase type has double-glazed windows, allowing visibility of the products inside while functioning as a cold storage. For pricing on container cold storage, please contact us.
Large Industrial Cold Storage
As the name suggests, these cold storage units are larger in scale and used in various industries to store food products by warehousing them.
Industrial cold storage units have multiple rooms, each with different temperatures based on the type of food stored in them. This is achieved using either Freon or ammonia systems.
These cold storage units are used to prevent the spoilage of large quantities of food. The price of industrial cold storage is generally very high due to its extensive application and larger dimensions.
Common Types of Cold Storage Units Available in the Market
A wide range of refrigeration units is used in restaurants and commercial kitchens for cooling food. Below are some common types of cold storage units available in the market:
Walk-In Units
These units are like a warehouse and can hold many bulk items due to their large space. This allows a significant amount of product to be kept cool, preserving the quality and safety of food products.
This model is very suitable for restaurants with many customers daily. Due to its ample space, it can store a lot of food products to meet customer needs. This type can be custom-designed and executed for each restaurant according to its needs and sizes.
Reach-In Units
These cold storage units are usually made up of one, two, or three sections and are used in various locations. Most kitchens use such units. You can store items ready for a week inside this cold storage, significantly speeding up your work process.
The difference between these and Walk-In Units is that they come in different sizes and can be used in smaller spaces. Some models are small enough to be installed under counters and workspaces, allowing quick and easy access to food items at the nearest and most accessible point.
Also, if the kitchen layout changes in the future, they can be easily moved as many come with wheels for easier relocation.
Merchandiser Units
These refrigerators are often used in stores, and their glass doors allow customers to see the products inside and make their purchase decisions.
However, some models do not have glass doors and are open at the front, providing easier access to the food items.
Display Cases
This model is like a showcase, allowing customers to see the items inside while keeping them cool. For example, in pastry shops, ready-made pastries and cakes are displayed inside them, allowing customers to choose their desired pastries by viewing them. Also, the freezer type can be seen in stores for storing ice cream.
Undercounter Units
This type of refrigerator is actually an undercounter fridge, taking up little space. It can be placed anywhere. This fridge can have an ice maker and freezer, and due to its small size, it has a beautiful appearance that matches the other existing items. This model is suitable for children and wheelchair users due to its low height. It is also a good choice for small spaces with limited room.
Prep Tables
This refrigerator is like a standing table, allowing you to place items inside for cooling. These tables allow the chef to access the necessary ingredients without moving around, making them easy to retrieve.
The most common use of this type of fridge is in pizza and sandwich shops, but they can also be used in other food-related businesses. Depending on the need, these fridges come in a wide range of styles and sizes. Some have cold compartments for storing food items at the top for easy access to ingredients.
These types of fridges can generally be divided into two main categories:
- Sandwich Preparation Table
- Pizza Preparation Table
The difference between these two models lies in their dimensions. The sandwich preparation table is between 27 to 72 inches (about 69 to 183 cm) long, and the pizza preparation table is between 44 to 119 inches (about 112 to 303 cm) long.
Also, the sandwich preparation table is narrower than the pizza preparation table, as it is designed for sandwich bread. The width of the sandwich table can be 8 inches (approximately 21 cm) and for the pizza table, it can be 16 inches (approximately 41 cm).
The Role of the Compressor in the Cooling Process
The role of the compressor in a refrigeration system is akin to the role of the heart in a living organism. The compressor draws the refrigerant in its gas state from the evaporator, compresses it, and sends it to the condenser. Essentially, the compressor’s task is to create the necessary pressure difference for the refrigerant to flow from one part of the refrigeration cycle to another.
Factors Influencing Cold Storage Prices
The price of equipment and the construction cost of a cold storage unit are crucial factors to be aware of before starting the project. Here are some elements that influence the costs of this product:
- Dimensions: The larger the dimensions of the cold storage unit, the higher the total construction cost.
- Storage Temperature: The type of food to be stored and whether it requires above-zero or below-zero temperatures will affect the final construction cost.
- Single-phase or Three-phase Power: Typically, the construction cost of cold storage units that operate on single-phase power is higher than those using three-phase power.
- Motor or Compressor: Various brands produce compressors for refrigeration equipment, and the price of each compressor can vary based on the type of parts used, its capacity, and the quality of the product manufactured by the company.
- Electrical Panel
- Valves and Control Equipment
- Size and Type of Cold Storage Door
- Quality of Installation and Performance
Among the above factors, the primary determinant of price is the dimensions of the cold storage unit. Additionally, the quality of the parts used in constructing the cold storage unit significantly impacts the final cost. Using high-quality parts will undoubtedly increase the construction cost. However, it is important to note that using quality parts will offset the initial construction cost due to the absence of technical issues post-operation and the avoidance of repair expenses.
Conclusion
Farasard is one of the largest providers of refrigeration and cooling equipment for food storage. It can offer various large and small cold storage units at the best price and highest quality according to your needs. For guidance and consultation, you can contact Farasard’s experts.
