Industrial refrigeration can be a great way to help your business run more efficiently. From reducing costs to improving energy efficiency, you will find many reasons to install this equipment in your company.
Reduced food spoilage
One of the most important benefits of industrial refrigeration is its ability to reduce food spoilage. The main reason for this is that it slows down the growth of microorganisms. It also prevents them from spreading and causing illness.
In preventing the spread of bacteria and other contaminants, it is important to keep your refrigerator at a temperature of 40 degF or below. You can do this by ensuring that your doors are closed as soon as possible. It will also help prevent moisture condensation from occurring.
Another important benefit of industrial refrigeration Melbourne is that it preserves the nutritional value of your foods. For example, freezing a piece of fruit for a few hours or even a few days can significantly increase its shelf life. Similarly, it can potentially preserve the taste and texture of fresh meats.
Refrigeration is also a valuable means of preserving liquid medicines. Aside from maintaining their quality, it can prevent the formation of dehydration. However, the cost of frozen food is comparable to other preservation methods.
Some of the most common refrigerated foods include fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and meats. These are typically packaged in plastic bags to prevent them from being exposed to light.
Another way to preserve your foods is by using a cryogenic refrigeration system. Cryogenic systems rely on liquid nitrogen and carbon dioxide to maintain their temperature. Alternatively, you can place hot food in a cold-water bath and chill it quickly.
Although it is not the most efficient method, freezing can be useful for storing food for an extended period. In particular, it has been shown to inhibit the growth of most bacterial species.
Improved energy efficiency
The energy efficiency of industrial refrigeration systems is important for a business’s performance and success. As energy costs continue to rise, several opportunities exist to reduce power consumption, which helps improve system efficiency.
One of the main factors that affect the amount of energy a refrigeration system consumes is the thickness of wall insulation. By increasing the amount of thermal insulation, energy consumption can be reduced.
A more comprehensive approach to reducing power consumption involves a combination of system-level and individual-component strategies. In the first strategy, the cooling demands of each space are evaluated in terms of the current temperature and the set point. This information is used to identify potential areas for load modulation.
Second, the amount of shaft power required by the refrigeration cycle is reduced. It is achieved by modifying the number of products produced. For example, switching off a booster fan, which requires no capital investment, increases the refrigeration system’s efficiency.
Third, the operation of the refrigeration system is constantly monitored. Operation signals are read by Siemens 319-3 PLCs, which are connected to a MySQL database. An optimization algorithm is then applied to reduce variability in energy consumption.
Several sensors are placed in the refrigeration sys to implement the proposed methodologytem. These tell the compressor where to direct additional cooling. The plant PLC/SCADA system then monitors them.
This data can be used to develop new methodologies and strategies for improving the energy efficiency of refrigeration systems. Based on the results of experiments, it was found that the electrical consumption of compressors could be reduced by 17 percent.
By implementing the proposed methodology, each refrigerator in the United States could save approximately 1.8 billion kWh of energy per year. That would result in a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 1.2 million metric tons.
Reduced maintenance operations
Large-scale industrial refrigeration units require regular maintenance to achieve peak performance. It is also critical to achieving a high level of reliability. Performing regular preventive maintenance is a good way to prolong the life of your equipment, minimize downtime, and reduce energy consumption.
Several technologies are available that can help you achieve these goals. These include intelligent compressor control, remote monitoring, and predictive maintenance. The benefits of implementing these systems can be seen in reduced downtime, increased productivity, and reduced energy costs.
In industrial refrigeration, a remote monitoring system is a great way to keep an eye on your equipment and detect potential issues before they happen. It includes diagnostics and real-time reporting.
Another way to achieve the above-mentioned is to incorporate lean energy principles into your operation. These principles can help you stay competitive in a highly competitive industry. For instance, a well-designed and implemented maintenance plan can yield a 25 percent reduction in energy consumption.
Having a preventive maintenance plan in place can help you avoid breakdowns, save money, and maintain a high level of product quality. The total cost of an unplanned outage can be five times greater than direct maintenance costs.
Energy efficiency can help you meet regulatory requirements while saving money on labour costs. To make this happen, you must follow a maintenance program aligned with manufacturer recommendations. It would be best if you also considered implementing an energy management plan to sustain the efficiencies you achieve through your maintenance plan.
Using the right technology to monitor several key variables, such as humidity, temperature, and defrost time, can allow you to optimize your operations. By doing this, you can maintain optimal temperatures without human intervention.
Reduced costs
Industrial refrigeration is an important part of the cold chain. It helps maintain safe and sustainable production. However, it can also be a costly endeavour. A properly designed system can help reduce operating costs, improve profitability, and protect the environment.
While several factors contribute to the efficiency of a commercial refrigeration system, two main energy-related aspects are the condition of the equipment and the refrigerant used.