Many products lose quality quickly when exposed to heat, and chilled room provides a simple and effective way to preserve them. It maintains temperatures between 0°C and 10°C, ideal for fruits, vegetables, dairy, and pharmaceuticals. Modern chilled rooms use advanced insulation and energy-efficient systems to keep goods safe and fresh.
Advantages
A chilled room offers several strong advantages for product quality, energy savings, and operational efficiency.
Extended Shelf Life: Temperature control slows bacterial growth and spoilage. For example, fresh strawberries last only 2 days at room temperature but remain good for 7–10 days at 4°C. This gives producers more time to sell products and avoid losses.
Energy Efficiency: A well-insulated chilled room uses less power. Modern refrigeration systems with digital controllers can save 20–30% of energy compared to older units. Polyurethane (PU) sandwich panels, 100 mm thick, reduce heat gain and keep temperatures stable.
Consistent Quality: Chilled rooms ensure even cooling. Air circulation fans distribute cold air evenly, keeping temperature variation under 1°C. This protects sensitive items such as milk, meat, or flowers from uneven chilling.
Operational Flexibility: Businesses can adjust the temperature between 0°C and 10°C for different goods. For example, meat requires about 0–2°C, while vegetables need 5–7°C.
With these advantages, chilled rooms help improve both efficiency and product reliability across industries.
Suitable Scenarios
Chilled rooms are used in many industries and environments where product freshness is critical.
Agriculture and Food Processing: Farmers use chilled rooms to store fruits, vegetables, and meat before shipping. In Thailand, mango exporters use chilled rooms to hold fruit for two weeks before export. This keeps color and taste consistent.
Supermarkets and Restaurants: Food retailers rely on chilled storage to display fresh items safely. Supermarkets use small walk-in rooms to keep stock fresh overnight. Restaurants use compact units near kitchens for meat, dairy, and drinks.
Pharmaceutical Industry: Medicines and vaccines need stable low temperatures. A 2–8°C chilled room ensures safe storage. This is very necessary in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central America and Africa.
Floral and Beverage Industry: Flower shops and beverage distributors use chilled rooms to preserve product appearance and taste. Beer, for instance, stays at 4°C to retain flavor.
Suitable Environments: Chilled rooms work best in regions with moderate to warm climates. They require proper ventilation and low humidity areas to prevent condensation and mold. Rural farms, city warehouses, and coastal markets can all install such systems with the right insulation.
Design Point
Design determines how well a chilled room performs. Each element must match the user’s needs and local conditions.
Step 1 – Define Cooling Load: The cooling load depends on the quantity and type of goods. For example, 5 tons of vegetables at 5°C may need around 25–30 kWh of cooling energy daily.
Step 2 – Choose the Right Size: The room should allow easy movement and airflow. Overcrowding blocks cooling. Engineers often leave 15–20% empty space inside.
Step 3 – Use Quality Insulation: Insulated sandwich panels made from polyurethane (PU) or polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam minimize heat gain. A 100 mm PU panel provides a thermal conductivity of 0.022 W/m·K. This keeps energy use low.
Step 4 – Install Efficient Cooling Equipment: Choose compressors and condensers based on load needs. Variable-speed compressors adjust output to save power.
Step 5 – Maintain Proper Air Circulation: Fans and ducts should distribute cold air evenly. Uneven cooling can damage sensitive goods.
Step 6 – Add Smart Controls: Digital thermostats and temperature sensors maintain precise control. IoT-based systems can monitor performance remotely and send alerts.
How to Produce and Build a Chilled Room
Producing and installing a chilled room requires high-quality materials and careful assembly.
Material Selection: Use food-grade steel sheets for interior walls and corrosion-resistant panels for durability. The insulation core should be dense PU or PIR foam. PU foam with 40 kg/m³ density provides excellent strength and insulation.
Panel Fabrication: Sandwich panels are made by bonding metal sheets to insulation cores under heat and pressure. Manufacturers cut panels to custom sizes to ensure tight joints during installation.
Door and Accessories: Use self-closing insulated doors to prevent air leakage. Install LED lighting and anti-slip floors to improve safety and hygiene.
Refrigeration Unit Assembly: The condensing unit, evaporator, and piping should match the cooling load. Copper pipes ensure efficient refrigerant flow and durability.
Testing and Quality Check: Each component must pass pressure and leakage tests. The system should run for at least 24 hours before full operation.
Maintenance Plan: Train users to clean coils, inspect seals, and check temperature daily. Proper maintenance extends service life to over 15 years.
A chilled room plays a vital role in modern food, flower, and medicine storage. It protects freshness, cuts waste, and improves profit for producers and retailers. As more industries adopt sustainable cold storage, chilled rooms will continue to support global food security and environmental goals.
Post time: Nov-07-2025