What is Cold Storage .
A cold store is primarily a facility where short-lived foodstuffs that are likely to deteriorate under normal conditions are stored. These include fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, etc. it could be. These foodstuffs are stored at the optimum temperature (primarily low) and humidity required for each product. Almost all cold stores are designed in such a way that these features are preconfigured according to what is being stored. Some cold rooms are made in such a way that these features can be adjusted.
Cold Storage Facility Construction and Operation
A cold storage facility operates on a cooling system that helps maintain an adequate temperature and environment according to the characteristics of each item being stored. First of all, a cold storage warehouse must have a bellows ramp with a sterile environment suitable for loading and unloading of the Logistics area.
It is necessary to have trained personnel and machine operators for the protection of products stored in all kinds of conditions.
The entrance and exit of the products to the warehouse are in accordance with the standard, and the storage temperatures should be followed for 24 hours.
Usage Areas of Cold Storages
Cold storage is mainly for storing items that need certain low temperature environment. Cold rooms There is a misconception that the Usage Areas of Cold Storage Rooms can only store foodstuffs in this way. But cold rooms can store:
foodstuffs– Many industries use cold storage services to preserve foodstuffs. Restaurants, food outlets, supermarkets and grocery stores are a few of these industries. These industries may require domestic refrigerators, whole cold rooms or blast freezers depending on the type of product stored and the needs of customers. Blast freezers are needed to store a large number of foodstuffs for a long time.
plants– Cool temperatures keep plants healthy, especially ornamental plants. Florists and ornamental flower companies need these facilities especially for the preservation of cut flowers.
Medicines– Pharmaceutical companies trading in pharmaceuticals store cold storages for syrup, injection, etc. They are used very often to store and protect from denaturation. The cold temperature prevents them from spoiling due to contamination.
Vegetable and Fruit Warehouses– Preservation of all kinds of fresh vegetables and fruits. These are the warehouses built to deliver them to the customer in a fresh way. In these warehouses, humidity control and some fruits are made with atmosphere control.
Types of Cold Storage Systems
Refrigerated containers – The primary and efficient type of cold storage. They can be used for a small number of items that need storage at the optimum temperature. Also, workers can easily transport them from one place to another.
Blast Freezers and Coolers –These meet major storage requirements that require products to be chilled when they reach the customer. High-end restaurants and similar companies use them.
Cold rooms -These can be both refrigerants and blast freezers as needed, except that they are much larger and come in the form of entire chambers.
Pharmaceutical-grade cold storage –These are warehouses that contain cold storage technologies. They are used in hospitals and medical facilities, especially to store blood, certain vaccines and biopharmaceuticals.
Cold storage connected to the facility –These types of facilities are built when manufacturers want to have cold rooms in their factories. Conveyor belts are used to send intermediate goods or products to cold storage. This makes it an on-site service.
Special special cold storage facilities –It includes companies that have specific cold storage needs and need customized cold rooms. Instead of building entire cold rooms, it can be personally built by logistics services or storage solution companies.
Benefits of Cold Storage Systems
Multiple variations
Most cold stores have temperature adjustable modes and are also airtight. This protects the material inside from extreme temperature changes that may occur in the environment. In addition, the moisture content can be regulated using a desiccant to dry the environment as needed. A cold storage unit can be converted to any of these, from a cold room to a blast freezer.
All features can be customized
Each cold room can be built to a specific size and specification. Even the shape of a cold room can be customized. Depending on what will be stored, the right cooling system can be selected. Often, a freezing temperature is not required for all goods. In such a case, the cold room can keep your belongings cold and dry. Mobile cold rooms are now also available.
Acts as extra storage
In general, when there is no place to store things, the cold rooms themselves can be used. They keep almost all foodstuffs safe and their temperature can be regulated along with humidity. Especially the items that need to be kept away from moisture can be stored here when the monsoon season comes. In this way, when there are excess orders, the lack of space can be compensated.
It can be used for backup during power outage.
In case of power cuts, products stored in coolers and refrigerators can be transported to the cold storage. This will prevent these items from getting corrupted. The cold room will meet the optimum temperature requirements. Airtight construction helps keep the cool environment longer. This will assist in the safe storage of foodstuffs. In addition, wire shelves can be added, which will be kept empty when such a situation arises.
Reducing waste saves money
Cold rooms help reduce waste as they preserve foodstuffs for a long time. In this way, unused items can be stored for a longer period of time instead of spoiling and throwing away. Many restaurants keep food frozen after preparation; such a facility is provided by means of cold rooms. These are used when there is a shortage of supply. This advantage also helps save money the company spends on buying extra products to replace the spoiled ones.
Problems With Cold Storage
Negative impact on equipment and operator
Most cold rooms have adverse effects on the equipment placed in them. For example, a product will gain moisture as soon as it is taken out of the cold room for palletization. This will spoil the product and still cause waste. Also, the person operating cold rooms is frequently exposed to such artificial cold temperatures that damage their joints, bones and general health. In addition, battery-operated parts inside a cold store have extremely low power efficiency, which is reduced by almost 50% relative to room temperature. In order to overcome these problems, palletization can be done in the cold room and insulation kits can be provided to the cold room workers. Gaskets should be placed on the batteries that make them resistant to extreme temperature changes.
Every commodity has different requirements
More than one product needs cold storage; however, each may not need the same temperature for storage. Moisture requirements will also differ for each item type. This creates a problem as a single temperature setting will only be useful for a few things. For example, vegetables should be stored at 13°C, meat at -2°C, dairy products at 1°C and ice cream at -23°C. So not all items need to be frozen. In addition, even the requirements for transport from the cold room may differ for each product. 3PL logistics services can be used to store different types of goods as they have such facilities.
They can be energy inefficient
Many studies have proven that cold storage facilities are often energy inefficient. This is due to even the slightest fault in the insulation. Doors must be of high quality, otherwise the entire cold room may become ineffective. This means that there must be minimal exposure to the external environment. But the cold room can work well if these requirements are met. Therefore, well-built walls and doors, preferably made of puff panels, will help make the cold room energy efficient.