Cold Storage

NFE 415

K. M. Mahdiuzzaman Sayed
Lecturer
Department of Nutrition and Food Engineering
Daffodil International University
Email: [email protected]
 Food Storage
Engineering……………………………………NFE 415
Cold Storage
Cold storage
Cold storage may be defined as the refrigerated warehouse constituted a very vital infrastructure for
the economy of a country. It is generally appreciated that there is a correlating between the per capita
volume of refrigerated space and economic development of a country.
New Zeeland for instant head a density of refrigeration storage space of 700 m3 per 100 inhabitant,
230 in Canada, and 115 in Australia and Japan, 100 in USA and Denmark etc.
Classification of Cold storage
A. Based on temperature
a) Cold storage with temperature 0oC to above
b) Cold storage with temperature -2o to -3oC
c) Low temperature frozen product usually maintain -23oC to -29oC
d) Control atmosphere (CA) for long term storage of fruits and vegetables.
B. Based on type of activities
a) Multipurpose cold storage: is designed built and equip to store different type of product
for long and short period.
b) Specialized cold storage: is generally designed and equip for single type of product such
as dairy, slaughter house etc.
C. Based on economic role
a) Production cold storage: It serve rural industry, fishing harver, ice-cream industry, frozen
food industry etc.
b) Long term storage: Where goods are stored for several month before being transported to
final destination.
c) Distribution cold storage: generally located in urban area and serve retail market.
d) Port cold storage: primarily for export and import transection.
Factor affecting the location of the cold storage:
1. Location must be convenient to production, shipper and distributor.
2. For profitable operation business location must be well connected by road, rail and other
vehicles etc.
3. Easy access from high way roads but avoiding Congested Street.
4. There must be ample space for truck movements and plant utility space plus future expansion.
5. Land cost must be reasonable.
6. Power and water supply must be in adequate should be granted or insured.
7. There must be provision for waste and sanitary water disposal.
8. Must be located outside the residential area.

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9. Taxes burden also be considered while selecting the location.
Factor affecting the size of the cold storage
1. The overall size of the storage is divided from the quantity of product to be stored and specific
volume of the commodity per Ton. The volume of cold storage can be calculated by the thumb
rule given below

Product Specific volume of cold storage

Potato 3.4 m3/ton
Onion 5.7 m3/ton

2. The other factor should consider are receive and shipment area it should be consider.
3. Special arrangement that is based on requirement some cold storage several individual rooms
are needed.
4. Multiple space can be provided.
5. Product size that is whether the size is small or large load.
Orientation of building
It should be considered constructed in such a way that heat gain through wall is minimum.
1. Walls to be exposed minimum solar radiation.
2. Longer walls be the always facing north south.
3. East west be located veranda.
4. The surface area to volume ratio should be minimum.
Equipment running time
● It is necessary to defrost the evaporator of cold storage at frequent interval hence it is a general
practice to design the select equipment non continuous operation of the plant.
● With off cycle defrosting method the maximum allowable running time is limited to 16 hours
with 8 hours being allowed for defrosting, generally it varies from 18 to 20 hours. But generally
18 hours running time is used.
● The equipment capacity is given by the following equation
𝑞𝑡 × 24
𝑄=
𝑅𝑇
Where,
● qt= total cooling load (KWhr)
● RT= Running Time (hr)

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● Q= require equipment capacity (KW)

Cold storage insulation:

Effective insulation is very important in cold storage construction to perform the following function.
1. Reduce the rate of the heat flow and thus reduce the load on the plant and machinery.
2. Prevent condensation on the surface.
Importance of vapor seal
The most important aspect of cold storage construction is that the insulated envelop is positively vapor
sealing. The water vapor through from high pressure area to low vapor pressure area. If barrier is not
created in its entry, the insulation will absorb these moisture at low temperature and turn to ice.
The joint between panels also be vapor seal as well as sealing and between wall and floor.

Load calculation
Types of load:
There are two types of load are
1. Cooling load
2. Heating load
Cooling load: the rate at which heat to be removed from the conditioned space. The capacity of the
cooling load determines the capacity of the equipment.
Heating load: the rate at which heat to be added to the conditioned space. A number of load
calculation procedure have been developed over the air.
The preliminary consideration for load calculation:
1. Building orientation
2. Building size and shape
3. Materials of constructions
4. Glass surface
5. Infiltration air quantity
6. Average number of people occupying this space
7. Number of size of motor, light and other appliances.
8. Equipment location
9. Water gas and electric service source

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K-factor (thermal conductivity)
The amount of heat flow through 1m2 surface with a thickness of 1 m material and if the temperature
difference is 1oK. These SI units is W/m.K

C-factor (thermal conductance)

The amount of heat flow through 1 m2 surface with certain thickness composed of 1 or several
materials.
𝑘
∴𝐶=
𝑥
Where, x=thickness
Again,
1
𝐶=
𝑟𝑡
1
𝐶=𝑥 𝑥
1
+ 2 + ⋯…….
𝑘1 𝑘2
In SI system the unit of C will be W/m2.K
U-factor (overall heat transfer coefficient)
The value of U and C is approximately equal if the value of resistance of inside (f i) and outside (fo) is
added to the value of C will get value of U (W/m2.K)
1
∴𝑈=
1 𝑥1 𝑥2 1
+ + +⋯+
𝑓𝑖 𝑘1 𝑘2 𝑓𝑜
Component of cooling load
1. Heat transmission through structure
2. Product load
3. People load
4. Ventilation/infiltration load
5. Supplementary load
6. Safety factor
1. Heat transmission through structure

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The heat gain through the walls, floor, sealing due to temperature difference between refrigerated
area and ambient air it can be calculated by the equation:
∴ 𝑄 = 𝑈𝐴∆𝑇
Where,
● U= Overall heat transfer coefficient (W/m2)
● A= Area of surface (m2)
● ∆T= Temperature difference (K)

Solar load through transference surface:

𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑔𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 = (𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 × 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 × 𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑝 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟)
Table for solar heat gain factor and DS factor see in the book.
Problem:
Find the heat flow through a wall of 3𝑚 × 3𝑚 constructed with the following material, if the inside
temperature 24oC and outside temperature is 35oC. Assume outside air movement 24 km/hrs and inside
air is still.
i. Plaster =12.5 mm (plaster in both side)
ii. Brick work =120 mm (inside)
iii. Brick work =120 mm (outside)
iv. Dead air gap = 25.4 mm
v. Wood work =25 mm (inside)
vi. Surface conductance for inside steel air film 9.37 w/m2 and k for wood= 0.17 W/m2
vii. Surface Conductance for 24 km/hrs, air=34.1 W/m 2, k for plaster = 0.72 W/m, k for brick=
0.72 W/m, jet air= 6.2 W/m.K
Find the overall heat transfer coefficient?
Solution:
We know,
1
𝑈=
1 𝑥1 𝑥2 1
+ + + ⋯+
𝑓𝑖 𝑘1 𝑘2 𝑓𝑜
1
=
1 0.25 0.0125 0.12 1 0.12 0.0125 1
9.37 + 0.17 + 0.72 + 0.72 + 6.2 + 0.72 + 0.72 + 34.1
𝑊
= 1.23 (Answer)
𝑚 2 .𝑘

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Again we know
𝑄 = 𝑈𝐴∆𝑇
= 1.23 × 3 × 3 × (35 − 24)
= 121.77 𝑘𝑊
= 0.121 𝑘𝑊 (𝐴𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟)

2. Product load:
A product load refrigerated space at higher temperature then the storage temperature will loss heat
until it reaches the storage temperature. The quantity of heat to be given up by the product depends
on:
a. Nature of the product
b. Initial stage of the product at the time of entering
c. Final stage of the product it attain after storing
d. Mass and it specific heat above and below freezing
e. Freezing temperature
f. Latent heat of fusion
It can be calculated by the following equation
𝑚 × 𝐶𝑝 × 𝑇𝐷
∴ 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 =
24 × 3600
Where
● m=mass
● Cp=Specific heat
● TD=temperature difference

3. People load
People added load and sensible heat load the amount depend upon the activity of the person. Heat
release from the body.
1. Comfort condition per person—107-117 W
2. Normal office assistance work—140-160 W
3. Light to hard work---205-440 W
4. Dancing---440-586 W
4. Ventilation and infiltration load:
Some outside air enter the condition space due to infiltration, ventilation and of open the door
frequently which added heat energy to the refrigerated space.

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𝑚3
𝑁𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒 × 0.0053( /𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑛) × ∆ℎ
∴𝑄= 𝑠
𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑎𝑖𝑟
Where,
● ∆h= difference between heat energy inside and outside
● 𝑄 = 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑒 (𝐿/𝑆𝑒𝑐) ×
𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑖𝑟 (𝑘𝐽/𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟)

Chilling load
During cooling product is higher at initial stage because the initial temperature and chilling room
temperature is more at initial period. So, during chilling time the product load about 1.5 times.
∴ 𝑅𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑙𝑦 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 (𝐶𝐻𝐹) = 1/1.5 = 0.67
𝑚 × 𝐶𝑝 × 𝑇𝐷
∴ 𝐶ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 =
𝐶ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 (𝑆𝑒𝑐) × 𝐶ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟
Problem:
How much chilling heat removed for 200 packet is weight is 2.25 kg of fresh shrim/prawn within 4
hrs from 33oC to 3oC. Specific heat of shrimp above freezing point 3.18 kJ/kg and chilling rate factor
0.67.
Solution:
Given,
● 𝑚 = 200 × 2.5 = 500 𝑘𝑔
● 𝑇1 = 33𝑜 𝐶
● 𝑇2 = 3𝑜 𝐶
𝑘𝐽
● 𝐶𝑝 = 3.18 𝑘𝑔
● 𝐶ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 = 0.67
● 𝑄 =?
We know,
𝑚 × 𝐶𝑝 × 𝑇𝐷
∴ 𝐶ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 =
𝐶ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 (𝑆𝑒𝑐) × 𝐶ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟

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500 × 3.18 × (33 − 3)
=
4 × 3600 × 0.67
= 4.94 𝑘𝑊 (Answer)

Respiration heat (QR)

∴ 𝑄𝑅 = 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 (𝑘𝑔) × 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 (𝑊/𝑘𝑔)
5. Supplementary load

𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡 × ℎ𝑟𝑠
∴ 𝐿𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 =
24ℎ𝑟𝑠

𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 (𝑘𝑤) × 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 × ℎ𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑢𝑠𝑒

∴ 𝑀𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 =
24ℎ𝑟𝑠

Problems:
Find out the cooling equipment capacity of a cold storage whose inside dimension are
12𝑚 × 9𝑚 × 4𝑚 containing 200 package of partial freezing shrim from 3oC to -20oC for preservation
if two labors works inside the storage for 4 hours for a desired 8 hours refrigeration time and working
with the help of 2 light each capacity is 200 W.
Necessary information:
i. Outside temperature of cold storage is 33oC
ii. Specific heat of shrim above freezing 3.18 kJ/Kg.K and 1.92 below freezing
iii. Latent heat 235 kJ/kg freezing of shrim is -2.25oC
iv. U=0.38 W/m2.K for average value of wall and floor.
v. Heat removed from the body per person 407 W, infiltration of fresh air 15 L/sec
vi. An addition of heat for these 0.12 kJ/L
vii. Weight for each package is 2.25 kg
Solution:
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎(𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑟 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑓) = 2 × (4 × 9 + 4 × 12) + 2(12 × 9) = 384 𝑚2
𝑄1 (ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 4 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑟) = 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 × 𝑈 × (𝑇2 − 𝑇1 )
= 3.84 × 0.383 × (33 − (−20)) = 7.795 𝑘𝑊
𝐵𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑧𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 450 × 3.18 × 3 − (−2.25) = 7512.75 𝑘𝐽
𝐷𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑧𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 450 × 235 = 105750 𝑘𝐽

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𝐴𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑧𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 450 × 1.92 × (−2.25) + 20 = 15336 𝑘𝐽
128598
𝑄2 (𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑) = 24×3600 = 1.488 𝑘𝑊

𝑄3 (ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛) = 15 × 0.12 = 1.80 𝑘𝑊

2 × 407 × 4
𝑄4 (𝑃𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑) = = 0.135 𝑘𝑊
24 × 1000
400 × 4
𝑄5 (𝐿𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑) = = 0.666 𝑘𝑊
24 × 1000
∴ 𝐶𝑜𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 = 𝑄1 + 𝑄2 + 𝑄3 + 𝑄4 + 𝑄5 = (7.795 + 1.488 + 1.80 + 0.135 + 0.666)
= 11.28 𝑘𝑊
Let, 𝑠𝑎𝑓𝑒𝑡𝑦 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 10% = 1.12 𝑘𝑊
∴ 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 = (11.28 + 1.12) = 12.40 𝑘𝑊

∴ 𝐶𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑝𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 (𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟)

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 × 24
=
𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 (ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠)
12.4 × 24
=
8
= 37.2 𝑘𝑊 (𝐴𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟)