DESIGNING OF A VARIABLE VOLUME COLD STORE

Abstract

Cold stores do not work for all time as full loaded during storage period. There is
always empty space when cold store is not fully loaded. Unnecessary energy is
consumed because this empty volume must be cooled even there isn’t any stored
agricultural product. In this study a system was developed to adjust cold store
volume according to the amount of stored agricultural product. Therefore, effective
volume of the cold store where agricultural product stored will only be cooled and
energy saving will be established. In addition, better cold air distribution will be
established in the cold store and the quality of product will also be better preserved.
Developed system is a moving wall-door system located inside of the cold store. It
can be moved automatically. Sliding-wall door system can be moved by an
electrical engine on a rail located at side walls. Leakage of cold air is prevented by
a silicone seal balloon. The silicone seal balloon is located all-around of the sliding
wall-door. The sliding wall change volume of cold store due to amount of stored
product. Sliding wall-door system is a new approach for manufacturing of cold
storage. This system will not be used only for new cold stores, but also can be used
for old cold stores. Energy saving is expected by using developed system in cold
stores. Submission of Petit patent for this developed system was approved by
Turkish Patent Institute.