1,643 m² Controlled-Atmosphere Cold Storage
1,643 m²/5,749 m³ CA cold storage with 6 partitioned rooms and Hanbell screw parallel refrigeration system.
- 1,643 m² / 5,749 m³
- 0-5℃
- 90 days
- 2022
Background And Requirement
This Controlled-Atmosphere (CA) cold storage facility was designed and delivered by Howcool for a northern China fruit producer seeking to extend their apple and pear harvest to a 10-month sales window. Total building footprint is 47.2m × 34.8m × 3.5m high, giving 1,643 m² / 5,749 m³ of controlled interior volume.
The facility is divided into 6 independent CA rooms (each 11.8m × 17.4m × 3.5m, 205 m² / 229 m³). Each room has its own gas-tight PU panel construction, CA door with pressure-equalisation valve, and independent O₂/CO₂/humidity control. This partitioned design lets the client open one room at a time, maintaining CA atmosphere in the other 5 rooms throughout the sales season.
Refrigeration is delivered by a Hanbell screw-compressor parallel rack system, selected for efficient part-load operation across the seasonal demand curve. The full system — panels, doors, refrigeration, CA equipment, electrical — was engineered, supplied and commissioned within 90 days.
Project Facts
| Location | North China |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1,643 m² / 5,749 m³ |
| Temperature | 0-5℃ |
| Programme | 90 days |
| Completed | 2022 |
| Sector | Fruit & Vegetable |
Total dimensions: 47.2m × 34.8m × 3.5m, 1643 m² / 5749 m³. Divided into 6 individual rooms (each 11.8m × 17.4m × 3.5m, 205 m² / 229 m³). Temperature: 0-5℃. CA equipment + Hanbell screw parallel unit. Refrigeration system features rotation-mode parallel compressors, gas-tight CA panels and doors, automatic O₂/CO₂ control. Construction completed in 90 days.
How The Project Was Delivered
- 01
Design & Engineering
Thermal load calculation for target temperature 0-5℃ and 90-95% RH. CA gas-exchange modeling. 3D BIM coordination with client's building structure. Approved drawings issued in 10 days.
- 02
Panel & Door Fabrication
1,643 m² of gas-tight 150mm PU panels (λ = 0.022 W/m·K) manufactured in our Beijing factory. 6 CA-rated doors with pressure-equalisation valves. QC pressure-test on every panel batch.
- 03
On-Site Installation
Panel erection (45 days), refrigeration pipework (15 days), electrical and CA controls (20 days). Sequenced to keep existing cold storage operational during expansion.
- 04
Commissioning & Handover
CA gas-tight test (pressure decay < 200 Pa/min per EN 13306). 48-hour pull-down test to -2℃. Operator training (3 days). Full documentation pack handed over.
What Was Supplied
- Hanbell semi-hermetic screw compressor parallel rack (4 compressors)
- Shell-and-tube evaporative condenser with water treatment
- Liquid receivers and oil separators (Henry / Temprite)
- D-type ceiling-mounted evaporators × 12 (one per sub-room)
- 150mm PU gas-tight insulation panels — 1,643 m²
- 6× CA cold storage doors with pressure-equalisation valves
- O₂/CO₂ analyser and automated gas-control system
- Nitrogen generator (PSA, 50 Nm³/h) for atmosphere maintenance
- Humidification system (ultrasonic, 90-95% RH)
- PLC-based monitoring with remote access and 24/7 alarm
- Anti-condensation floor heating (for ground-level panels)
- Emergency ventilation for safe entry after CA atmosphere
Results At Handover
Sales Window
Extended apple/pear shelf from 4 to 10 months, smoothing seasonal price volatility.
Post-Harvest Loss
Down from 20-25% (cold-only storage) to under 3% with CA technology.
Build Time
Engineering, fabrication, installation, commissioning — all delivered in 90 days.
Photographs From Site
Questions About This Project
How large is the 1,643 m² Controlled-Atmosphere Cold Storage project?
1,643 m² / 5,749 m³, located in North China.
What temperature does the facility operate at?
0-5℃.
How long did the project take?
90 days, completed 2022.
What equipment was supplied?
Key items included hanbell semi-hermetic screw compressor parallel rack (4 compressors); shell-and-tube evaporative condenser with water treatment; liquid receivers and oil separators (henry / temprite). Full equipment lists are issued with the design pack.
Can Howcool deliver a similar facility for us?
Yes. Send your storage volume or tonnage, target temperature, product type and site location, and our engineers will return a preliminary design and budget estimate within 48 hours.
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Similar Facilities We Have Built
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Planning Something Similar
Send your volume, temperature, product type and location. Our engineers respond within 24 hours with a preliminary design.