Energy-efficient cooling is bearing fruit at food ingredient manufacturer, Kerry Aptunion thanks to Coolmation - the UK’s leading process cooling systems supplier to the food manufacturing sector. Coolmation has provided a process-specific water-chilling solution with an integral free-cooling facility that promises to deliver complete system pay-back in just 16 months.
Part of Kerry Ingredients, Kerry Aptunion supplies its premium range of fruit products and purées to the yoghurt and dairy industry from its Okehampton-based operation. As part of its ongoing expansion, involving the addition of a new production line, the company recognised that water chilling capacity at the site required extending if its high quality standards were to be maintained. Replacing old, inefficient plant with a new water chiller and free cooling system from Coolmation has increased cooling capacity at the factory from 190kW to 300kW, whilst providing the potential for significant reductions in running costs. This delivers the process cooling that is essential to preserving the quality of the final fruit product and brings major energy savings when ambient temperatures are low.
“To get the best taste, texture and appearance from the fruit we use, it needs to be processed with great care and attention. The ability to cool products down with a reliable and consistent supply of chilled water is fundamental to maintaining quality” explains Jim Butt, Projects Manager at Kerry Aptunion. “We knew of Coolmation’s experience in food processing applications and briefed them accordingly. They came up with a packaged solution that not only met our specification exactly but will eventually pay for itself through better energy consumption as well!”
Coolmation has supplied a 300kW Power Cool air-cooled chiller from its CWA/EX range and a 300kW free cooling system for the Kerry Aptunion site, together with associated weir tanks, pumps and other system components. The chiller serves heat exchangers which cool down the processed fruit to its optimum temperature, post pasteurisation and prior to packaging. The free cooling system is connected on the same circuit as the chiller. When the ambient temperature falls to 9°C or below, the free cooling system automatically cuts in, switching off some or all of the chiller’s compressors, so reducing the power input to the system. When outside temperatures fall to 7°C, conditions which occur approximately 45% of the year, the free cooling system is capable of providing all the required cooling, effectively providing a free cooling option for Kerry Aptunion since the chiller will switch off. Coolmation carried out the supply and installation of all equipment on the project which was completed in January 2003. Low cost service and maintenance will be provided by Coolmation’s 24/7 service operation, Coolmation Service.
Coolmation’s CWA/EX range of Power Cool air-cooled chillers are ideally suited to process water cooling and chilling applications where a constant supply of chilled water at any temperature between +18°C and -10°C is required. Coolmation’s free cooling systems can be retrofitted to existing chilled water systems or incorporated into new ones and are available in single unit capacities from 5kW to 2,000kW. Pay back is fast and energy savings year on year considerable.
Coolmation provides a fully comprehensive, solutions-based approach for food manufacturers keen to improve production quality, yields and business profitability. All Coolmation equipment is designed for high reliability and manufactured to internationally recognised quality standards. With offices in Lancashire, Leicestershire and a Head Office in Ringwood, Hampshire, Coolmation operates nationwide in equipment sales, supply and technical advice.
