Refrigeration technology for logistics & cold stores: efficiency on every square meter
In refrigerated logistics, margins are tight and energy costs are the decisive factor for profitability. Whether it’s a deep-freeze high-bay warehouse or a transshipment hall for fresh products: Every unnecessary kilowatt costs money. cold.world ENGINEERING plans refrigeration systems for logistics properties that are robust, comply with the strictest temperature specifications (IFS/BRC) and ensure the lowest operating costs in the long term by using natural refrigerants.
Large-scale cooling: mastering the challenges
A logistics center is more than just a large refrigerator. We solve the specific technical challenges of large hall volumes:
- Optimum air circulation: In high-bay warehouses, heat often builds up at the top. We plan the air circulation (throw distance of the air coolers, textile hoses or support jet fans) so that every pallet – whether at the top or bottom – has exactly the same temperature.
- Reduce operating costs: We rely on ammonia (NH3) or CO2 systems, as these are unbeatably efficient at high outputs.
- Maintaining the cold chain: reliability through redundant system design so that your auditors and customers are satisfied.
Effektive Luftführung
Our solutions for warehousing & distribution
1. deep-freeze storage (down to -28 °C) The premier class of insulation and refrigeration technology. Here, not only the refrigeration is important, but also the protection of the building. We integrate intelligent sub-freezing protection systems, which are often fed with waste heat from the refrigeration system, to protect the foundations from frost damage – without any additional energy costs.
2. fresh storage & cross-docking (+2 °C to +10 °C) There is a lot of traffic here. Doors open and close. We plan systems with fast response times and efficient defrosting to compensate for moisture ingress and prevent icing.
3. effective air barrier systems for cooled areas Most energy is lost at loading gates and passageways. We plan high-performance air barrier systems that thermodynamically separate cold and hot air areas without being visible.
- Energy efficiency: Drastic reduction in heat input during loading and therefore fewer defrost cycles
- Safety & visibility: Prevention of fog formation and icing in the door area; clear passage for forklifts without disruptive PVC strip curtains.
- Hygiene: Effectively keeps out dust and insects.
Effektive Luftschott Anlagen
Naturally efficient: Why NH3 and CO2 dominate in the warehouse
For logistics properties, we carry out projects almost exclusively with natural refrigerants. There are sound economic reasons for this:
- Ammonia (NH3): The standard for large cubic volumes. Central systems with NH3 have a long service life (often 20+ years), are easy to maintain and offer the best energy efficiency per m³ of cooled space.
- CO2 (R744): Ideal for logistics centers with different temperature zones (NK/TK combined) or locations where ammonia is difficult to approve by the authorities.
- Heat recovery: huge potential. Use the waste heat from cooling to heat office areas, social rooms or the hall area (drying).
Frequently asked questions about logistics refrigeration
How do you heat the under-freeze protection? Ideally “free of charge”. We use the warm return flow from the oil cooler circuit or glycol extraction from the heat recovery system to keep the floor under the deep-freeze warehouse frost-free. Electric heating mats are only an emergency solution for us.
Can you also refurbish existing cold stores? Yes. Many warehouses still run on R22 (very old) or R404A. We plan the conversion during operation (“open-heart surgery”) so that your delivery capability is maintained while we convert the technology to NH3 or CO2.