SOURCES OF HUMIDITY IN COLD STORES

Ice and condensation stem from air laden with undesirable moisture, undergoing a phase change when certain specific conditions arise.

The most common sources of such moisture-laden air are:

• Points of entry where doors/barriers are open for too long and/or close too slowly
• Inappropriately sealed doors/openings in the outer structure
• Ineffective sluices and other areas where goods are “in transition”
• The goods stored within the facility
• People and vehicles present within the facility
• Pressure equalizer set-ups.

WHERE ICE AND CONDENSATION FORM

Unwanted ice and condensation can cause a wide range of costly problems in cold storage facilities.

First of all,

PRODUCT QUALITY AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

Melting ice or pooled condensation can damage the packaging of goods in the cold store facility, consequently,

• Greater waste reduced profit margins and negative effect on customer relations

Undesirable moisture can result in both damage and contamination of goods in the facility, hence,

• Health risks, greater waste, reduced profit margins, and negative effects on customer relations

Depending on conditions, moisture can condense on the strip curtains through which people and/or vehicles and goods-moving equipment enter/exit the facility, therefore,

• Possible cross-contamination of other goods passing through the curtains

Any cleaning/washing of the interior of the cold store at temperatures above 0 °C can affect the viability of the freezing chain, consequently,

• Damage to the value/quality of the goods stored, including bacterial growth

FIRSTLY, SAFETY ISSUES

Ice and condensation result in slippery floors, therefore,

• Staff can slip/fall, forklift trucks, pallet movers, and other equipment can skid and cause accidents and injuries as well as damage goods, equipment, and fixtures

Humidity in the air can cause mist and reduced visibility, hence,

• Accidents affecting staff, vehicles, goods, equipment, and fixtures

Ice deposits can fall, as a result,

• Injuries to staff and damage to goods, equipment, and fixtures margins and negative effect on customer relations

SECONDLY, REDUCED PRODUCT HANDLING EFFICIENCY

Ice and condensation can result in many small hindrances to effective, error-free transport, stacking, and logistics, hence,

• Reduced product handling efficiency and higher costs

Ice can form on the barcodes on products, packaging, and pallets, therefore,

• Product IDs/labels fall off or cannot be read/scanned effectively, resulting in non-productive time and workflow inefficiencies margins, and negative effects on customer relations

THIRDLY, THE POOR WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The formation of ice makes it difficult to close cold-room doors and other openings properly, hence,

• Draughts, additional ingress of moisture-laden air, etc.

Staff experience a cold working environment with high levels of humidity as colder/more uncomfortable than an environment with the same temperatures but low humidity, consequently,

• Lower staff morale, higher absenteeism statistics

WASTED PERSON-HOURS AND REDUCED PRODUCTIVITY

Once formed, ice needs to be removed and condensation needs to be dried up before it freezes to ice, hence,

• The constant need to use manpower for non-productive purposes ice and condensation result in slower movement and more accidents

• Lower productivity and higher manpower costs for treatment/compensation/insurance, etc.

FINALLY, HIGHER ENERGY BILLS

Ice and condensation in cold stores need to be removed, therefore,

• Additional energy consumption for defrosting of fixtures, fittings, and refrigeration equipment

Evaporators work inefficiently when iced up, hence,

• Additional energy consumption

In some cold stores floors are heated to avoid icing, consequently,

• Additional energy costs for heating as well as for the cooling system needed to remove the heat again afterward margins and negative effect on customer relations

HOW DO TACKLE ICE AND CONDENSATION IN COLD STORAGE?

We are going to write about it in our next article. 👉🏻 Consequences of Condensation and Ice Formation in Cold Storages.

CONTACT US TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HOW TO MANAGE HUMIDITY IN COLD STORAGE

CONTACT US

If you have any questions about solutions on how to manage humidity in cold storage, please contact us. We encourage you to ask us for further info on your specific case. We will gladly assist you with any questions you may have. You can reach us by completing the form below; otherwise, write to sales@globepanels.com.

READ ALSO:

1. Comparison among PVC products and other PE/PP products
2. Case Study: Cold storage in the logistic center, San Salvador
3. Managing humidity in cold store installations | Condensation | Ice
4. Aggressive Environment: Solutions for insulating metal panels | Cold Room
5. 8 TIPS FOR CLEANING CORRECTLY YOUR COLD-ROOM

Courtesy of Cotes A/S