Cold storage humidification & humidity control

Cold storage humidification & humidity control

When air enters a cold store, its moisture content drops as its temperature falls below dew point and water condenses on to the cold surfaces, particularly the cooling coils in the refrigeration system. 

As the air circulates around the chill store it warms, reducing its relative humidity. The warmer air draws moisture from any surface it can, including the produce itself.  This leads to product weight loss - as much as 20% - and cells become less turgid, affecting the appearance, quality and shelf-life of the produce, all of which reduce the value of the stock. 

The solution? Raise the relative humidity to a level that's in equilibrium with the produce. 

Optimal conditions vary according to the specific type of fruit, vegetables, flowers or other food product being stored but, typically, a humidity of around 95%RH at a temperature just above freezing is needed but, even produce stored in warmer conditions benefit from a humidity level around 75%RH. The required moisture is introduced directly into the air, evenly throughout the store.  

The story doesn't stop there. Commercial markets and the many modern distribution depots run by supermarket chains benefit from effective humidification, as do chilled display cabinets and open counters, helping to ensure that produce quality is maintained right through the supply chain. 

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Find out how to improve cold store productivity with humidity control

Benefits of humidification in food and produce cold stores include:

  • Raising the relative humidity inhibits moisture loss.
  • The right humidity level ensures that product quality is maintained.
  • Fresh, just picked appearance increases value.
  • Improved profitability through maintained product weight.  
  • Longer storage and greater shelf life reduce waste.
  • Direct room humidification ensures the right humidity level evenly around the store, maintaining produce quality throughout. 
  • Close humidity control means the right humidity for the right produce.
  • Condair - a choice of in-room humidification systems that meet the exacting requirements of cold stores. 

Our produce cold and chill storage clients include:

    - Bell AG, Switzerland

    - Arla Foods, UK

    - LIDL, Denmark & UK

    - Dubai Flower Store, UAE

    - L C Lauridsen, Denmark

    - Woolworths, South Africa

    - Lammerfjorden, Denmark

    - Lantmännen-Hatting, Denmark

    - HB Refrigeración, Peru

    - Arla, Denmark

    - Beauvais, Denmark

    - Keller Fruechte & Gemuese, Switzerland

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    Parmeshwari Tea Company

    Ajay Dhandharia

    Managing Partner

    “After installing the JetSpray system we observed that any level of humidity required is constantly achievable without condensation or water getting deposited on the floor or over the machine. With improved humidity conditions, teas became brighter, blacker with better bloom and improved density.”

    Aston Martin

    Alan Darrock

    “We need a reliable, effective humidification system to ensure that we can achieve the utmost finish to our cars. Since the new equipment was installed we have seen improvement in the quality of the paint finish, and our workforce now keep the doors closed. We have been more than pleased with the service and skill that Condair offers and will be using them in other production areas.”

    Konvekta

    Amir Ibrahimagic

    Group Business Development Manager

    “Konvekta has standardised its exhaust air cooling systems on the Condair ME humidifier as its evaporative cooling solution. The reliability of the unit is second-to-none. It incorporates the highest quality components that give utmost longevity and performance to our clients. Alongside the product’s USPs, Condair is also a very solutions-oriented partner. As a Konvekta energy recovery system is always custom designed for a client’s needs, it’s vital for us to have flexible design support from our evaporative cooling supplier.”

    Weatherite Group

    Andy Lewis

    Technical Manager

    “Weatherite only uses the highest quality components in its HVAC solutions, and this includes Condair’s evaporative humidifier. It certainly delivered on our specific requirements for operation, control and hygiene management, and we’ve been very pleased with the support offered by Condair in connection with this successful project.”

    Jydsk Aluminium Industri

    Bo Thornvig Jensen

    Teknisk direktør

    “We invested in an adiabatic cooling system and reduced our electricity consumption for cooling by 90%.”

    John Watson & Co

    Chris Fyfe

    Quality Assurance Manager

    “When paper loses moisture, ink will not adhere properly, which could cause a problem for our printing company whose reputation for quality is high. Not only has the JetSpray been proven in our industry, it is also uncomplicated, energy efficient and extremely hygienic in operation.

    Due to the conditions in our print room, the humidifier has been running 99% of the day since installation, keeping RH at a perfect 50%.”

    HMF Group

    Christian Myrhøj

    Produktionschef i maleafdelingen

    “We have no problems with painting since we got the Condair humidification system. Our production quality is always consistent and the error rate is minimal. The energy savings on ventilation was a welcome side benefit.”

    Steinway

    Craig Terry

    UK Managing Director

    “Dryness is the enemy of pianos so humidity is really important. We need 40% to 50% humidity all the time to protect the wood, whether they’re in the showroom or the workshop. Condair’s units are ideal for the job. And because we rely so heavily on the reliability of the humidifiers, we also contracted with Condair to service the humidifiers at regular intervals.

    Would I recommend Condair? Oh yes, they’ve supplied great service.”

    ZSL London Zoo

    Dave Clarke

    Head of Invertebrates

    “Having worked with Condair since 2008, we now rely on their steam humidifiers, which we find both efficient and easy to use. They are particularly important for our irreplaceable populations of endangered species, for example our Polynesian tree snails, many of which are now sadly extinct in the wild.”

    Sporting Edge UK Ltd

    Dave Vincent

    Managing Director

    “Sporting Edge produce the most advanced environmental chambers in the world and it’s vital all parts of our system offer consistent reliability and performance. This is why we have standardised our humidity control using the Condair RS steam humidifier.

    It provides us with a dependable, controllable product that will happily work with standard mains water. We also love the self de-scaling feature.”

    T Clarke

    Doug Lumb

    Project Engineer

    “The Condair DC 50W dehumidifier was actually chosen by our designers, as it fitted the bill perfectly for the environment. The unit size was based on the quantities of kit hung in the room to dry when the firefighters return to the Centre at the end of their training exercises.

    It’s a reliable product and currently operating at the station just as expected, plus installation was really simple and didn’t take long at all, so all very good.

    I would definitely specify Condair dehumidifiers for future projects.”

    Bunkermuseum Hanstholm

    Erik Ansø

    Museumsforvalter

    “The noise level is now so low that you can talk normally in the ventilation room even though both the ventilation and a dehumidifier are running, which was one of the criteria. You certainly couldn't do that before, and it's worked out well in a concrete bunker.”

    BluePrint AG

    Gerhard Meier

    Geschäftsführer

    “With Condair Systems, we reliably guarantee optimum humidity, which ensures greater quality and standardisation.”

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