Airbloc air curtains contain intense cold

Cannington Cold Stores of Bridgewater uses Airbloc air curtains to effectively contain intense cold within the building.

The company stores fruit-juice concentrates and fresh foods for clients that supply a worldwide market.

Cannington has extensive storage facilities, including chilled stores (+2C to +10C) and frozen stores that can blast or gradually freeze down to -25C.

Its operation requires continuous stock management and just-in-time delivery to customers.

This may involve up to 100 articulated lorries a day loading or unloading into the storage buildings.

The company sought an alternative to the high-speed up-and-over doors it had used for many years on its 2,400m2, 2,700-pallet chilled store.

The doors proved expensive to maintain and often broke down due to constant usage.

With each opening and closing, the closely regulated temperature within the building was compromised.

The 1,350m2 frozen store was equipped with a remote-controlled door; however, the temperature drop when the door opened was difficult and energy intensive to recover, making it an uneconomical option.

As a solution, an Airbloc AB overdoor air curtain was installed above the doorway to each building.

The air curtains deliver a 'sheet' of ambient air that effectively separates interior and exterior environments without the use of mechanical doors.

Operatives have free access at all times, together with high visibility.

There is no risk of damage from forklift trucks or the mechanical failure associated with roller shutter doors in constant use.

According to Cannington, the temperature with the chilled and frozen stores remains virtually the same whether doors are open or closed.

There is no additional burden on the chilling or freezing equipment to recover lost temperatures and there is no threat to the integrity of the stored goods.

The company is also experiencing positive fuel cost savings as a result of fitting Airbloc air curtains.

Back to top