DESIGNING OF A VARIABLE VOLUME COLD STORE

Abstract

Cold stores do not work for all time as full loaded during storage period. There isalways empty space when cold store is not fully loaded. Unnecessary energy isconsumed because this empty volume must be cooled even there isn’t any storedagricultural product. In this study a system was developed to adjust cold storevolume according to the amount of stored agricultural product. Therefore, effectivevolume of the cold store where agricultural product stored will only be cooled andenergy saving will be established. In addition, better cold air distribution will beestablished 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. Itcan be moved automatically. Sliding-wall door system can be moved by anelectrical engine on a rail located at side walls. Leakage of cold air is prevented bya silicone seal balloon. The silicone seal balloon is located all-around of the slidingwall-door. The sliding wall change volume of cold store due to amount of storedproduct. Sliding wall-door system is a new approach for manufacturing of coldstorage. This system will not be used only for new cold stores, but also can be usedfor old cold stores. Energy saving is expected by using developed system in coldstores. Submission of Petit patent for this developed system was approved byTurkish Patent Institute.