Tag

refrigeration & controls

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Process Freezing 101: 4 Variables Food Processors Must Understand

Food plant owners who work with frozen products must have a thorough understanding of the freezing process and what it does to food. Freezing, done well, preserves nutrients and provides a good-as-fresh product for the customer. Done badly — well, we’ve all pulled a forgotten, frost-encrusted steak out of the bottom of the freezer before. It’s not very appetizing. This two-part blog series will take a look at best practices for freezing and the applications of various types of freezers.

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[Infographic] 6 Benefits of a CO2/NH3 Cascade System

CO2/NH3 cascade systems offer food processors a practical way to increase efficiency. By using two centralized refrigeration systems working in unison to provide cooling temperatures, they maximize the effect of carbon dioxide and ammonia. The high-temperature system pulls heat away from the low-temperature system, which in turn uses recirculated liquid to cool the evaporators.

Cascade systems that use CO2 as a secondary refrigerant offer unique advantages. Carbon dioxide is nontoxic and nonflammable, and is also less likely to damage food products in the event of a release. For food plant owners, CO2/NH3 cascade systems offer six key benefits, which are detailed below.

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[Infographic] 2 Key Questions to Answer Before Your Packaged Refrigeration Equipment Installation

For the past two weeks, we’ve discussed packaged refrigeration equipment: a system that uses ammonia or CO2 and a secondary refrigerant, allowing facilities to reap the benefits of ammonia while also minimizing the charge and risk. We’ve already reviewed the various ways these systems can benefit food processors and discussed the five different types of these low-charge chillers available. However, if you decide to introduce packaged refrigeration equipment into your food manufacturing plant, there are some key questions you must answer before installation to ensure an efficient, smooth installation process.

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[Infographic] Factors That Influence Cold Storage Warehouse Cost Savings

At the close of 2014, data released by the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses showed that the total capacity of refrigerated warehouses has increased 20 percent since 2012. And over the past few months, trade magazines have been honing in on the topic, tapping into our team members at Stellar for insights into cold storage construction, including rising technologies, efficiencies and best practices. Continue Reading “[Infographic] Factors That Influence Cold Storage Warehouse Cost Savings”

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How to Prevent and Repair Frost Heave Under Your Freezer Floor

Are you failing to tend to what’s right underneath your feet? Though concrete freezer floors can last up to more than half a century, the underfloor heating system beneath still requires regular preventive maintenance. If you don’t take the proper precautions, frost can form in the sub-grade soils resulting in raised, cracked floors and a host of potential problems, including: safety concerns, operational issues and significant structural damage. Continue Reading “How to Prevent and Repair Frost Heave Under Your Freezer Floor”

Views: 1048

Automation Safety: Clearer Requirements Arise for Risk Assessments

Automation has gained plenty of traction in the food and beverage processing industry thanks to benefits including cost savings, labor reduction and increased food safety. However, a slew of national and international guidelines and requirements has made owning automation equipment more complex than ever before—with risk assessments an especially gray area. The good news? Clearer risk assessment requirements have arrived from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), offering more consistent expectations.

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How Production Loads in Your Food Processing Plant Affect Refrigeration Efficiency and Stability

When cooling loads change gradually, your refrigeration equipment and controls undergo gradual changes and your system remains stable and efficient. However, if rapid load fluctuations occur as a result of production or sanitation activities, many systems experience pressure or temperature fluctuations, which can cause sanitation and quality issues as well as increased energy usage. There are several strategies food manufacturers can employ to deal with these challenges. Continue Reading “How Production Loads in Your Food Processing Plant Affect Refrigeration Efficiency and Stability”

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How 3D Printing is Complementing the Refrigeration Design Process

Headlines have been hot with 3D printing news, toying with opinions on how the technology could affect the everyday consumer experience. At Stellar, we’re seeing the value of 3D printing firsthand. For over a year now, we’ve been using 3D printers to provide our refrigeration clients with 3D models they can touch and feel–and it has proved to offer benefits for both sides of the table.

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