Industrial Refrigeration in the Food Industry: Ensuring Safety and Quality
The cold chain is one of the fundamental pillars of the food industry. From processing to distribution, maintaining adequate temperatures is essential to guarantee consumer safety and product quality.
The Importance of the Cold Chain
According to ANVISA, cold chain breaches are responsible for a large part of food contaminations. Each food has an ideal temperature range for storage and processing:
| Type of Food | Ideal Temperature |
|---|---|
| Fresh Meats | 0°C to 4°C |
| Fish | -1°C to 2°C |
| Dairy Products | 2°C to 8°C |
| Frozen Foods | -18°C or lower |
| Fruits and Vegetables | 8°C to 12°C |
Specific Challenges of the Sector
The food industry presents unique challenges for refrigeration systems:
Hygiene and cleaning: Equipment must be manufactured with materials that allow frequent sanitization, such as 304 stainless steel.
Thermal load variation: The entry of hot products or the frequent opening of chambers requires systems with good recovery capacity.
Energy efficiency: With 24/7 operation, energy consumption is significant and directly impacts operational costs.
Redundancy: Unscheduled shutdowns can result in multimillion-dollar product losses.
Helioterm Solutions for the Food Sector
Chillers for Processes
Our chillers are ideal for:
- Cooling doughs and fillings
- Quick freezing tunnels
- Maturation chambers
- Pasteurization processes
Air Conditioners for Production Areas
Food production environments require control not only of temperature, but also of humidity and air quality:
- HEPA filtration for clean rooms
- Relative humidity control
- Positive pressure to prevent cross-contamination
Success Case: Meatpacking Plant in Paraná
A medium-sized meatpacking plant in Paraná faced high energy costs and difficulties in maintaining stable temperatures in its storage chambers.
Initial diagnosis:
- Old system with reciprocating compressors
- Consumption of 180,000 kWh/month
- Temperature variation of ±3°C in the chambers
- Frequent maintenance
Implemented solution:
- Chilled water plant with 2 Helioterm 80 TR chillers
- High-efficiency screw compressors
- Automation system with supervisory control
- Heat recovery for water heating
Results after 12 months:
- Consumption reduced to 117,000 kWh/month (35% savings)
- Temperature variation of ±0.5°C
- Zero unscheduled shutdowns
- Payback of 18 months
Compliance with Standards
All Helioterm equipment for the food industry is designed in compliance with:
- ANVISA RDC 275/2002
- Ministry of Health Ordinance 326/1997
- MAPA standards for establishments of animal origin
Conclusion
Refrigeration in the food industry goes far beyond simply "cooling." It is a critical system that directly impacts consumer safety, product quality, and the economic viability of the business.
Helioterm has over 50 years of experience in projects for the food industry, with customized solutions for every need.