Walk-in cold rooms, a practitioner’s technical guide
Design and operation for precooling and storage of fresh produce in hot climates, in off-grid and unreliable grid situations.
Abstract
This guide consolidates the current state of the art and outlines 12 steps to follow when specifying, delivering and operating a walk-in cold room, covering both the technical and business perspectives.
The production of the guide is based on cooperation between the International Institute of Refrigeration and Efficiency for Access, with the contribution of the Energy Sector Management Assistant Program (ESMAP) Efficient Clean Cooling programme of the World Bank. It results from the collaboration of more than 40 leading experts and suppliers, particularly in Africa and India.
The guide presents accessible, practical guidance that enables developers, owners, operators, and suppliers to specify, install and operate effective, economically viable and appropriate precoolers and cold rooms. Priority is given to environmental sustainability through high energy efficiency and informed choice of components as well as refrigerants with a low Global Warming Potential.
The recommendations apply to all types of commercially available small walk-in cold rooms designed to precool and store fresh horticultural and agricultural produce near farms or at rural aggregation centres, communities or markets, using temperature, humidity, and gas-controlled conditions for maintaining the quality of produce.
This is part of the Transforming Energy Access programme.
Citation
Efficiency for Access and International Institute of Refrigeration. ‘Walk-in cold rooms: a practitioner’s Technical Guide” December 2023