Meat Processing Freezer - Eliminating Ice Build-Up with Dehumidification
How a leading meat processor eliminated freezer ice build-up, reduced downtime and improved operating conditions with desiccant dehumidification.
Results at a Glance:
60-80% RH → ~20% RH
Ice build-up eliminated
Defrost cycles reduced
Less production downtime
Improved safety around the freezer
CHALLENGE
Ice Build-up around the conveyor in a blast freezer was causing serious interruptions to production
SOLUTION
Humiscope designed and installed a Desiccant Dehumidifier to produce and maintain a dry environment.
Before Dehumidifier - Ice Build Up
After Dehumidifier - No Ice Build-Up
OUTCOME
Once the desiccant dehumidifier was installed and the optimal humidity level set, the dewpoint in the affected corridor was lowered. This greatly reduced the existing ice through a process called sublimation and prevented any future ice build-up.
ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES
Moisture issues occurred in a fast paced facility on operational equipment in a corridor. The busy working environment and restricted space and accessibility in the corridor produced several challenges.
Inaccessible by forklift or heavy lifting equipment.
SOLUTION - We took the dehumidifier apart piece by piece in our workshop. Then transported it to the Meat Production Facility and re-assembled it in the space (see video above for all the action!).
2. Difficult to measure the restricted space where a large industrial system needed to fit.
SOLUTION - Humiscope engaged Bimtec, a specialist third-party contractor, to complete 3D scanning of the area. This provided accurate site dimensions and enabled the dehumidification system to be designed around the available space and installation constraints.
3. The blast freezer is an integral part of the production process, meaning only limited downtime was available for installation works.
SOLUTION - Humiscope scheduled the installation outside normal production hours, including weekend works, to minimise disruption to operations.
4. To comply with food safety requirements, hot works such as welding and grinding were not permitted within the area.
SOLUTION - The installation methodology was adapted accordingly, using non-powered tools and alternative assembly methods to complete the works safely and in compliance with site requirements.
How Dehumidification Technology Helped
With the assistance of the desiccant dehumidifier, the dewpoint in the affected corridor was reduced to reduce the existing ice through a process called Sublimation and prevent any future ice build-up. In removing moisture from the space, this also removed ice from the floor, reducing safety risks.
Results, Return on Investment and Future Plans
Part of the project was to monitor the conditions before, during and after installing the dehumidifier. The aim in doing so was to create a profile of the actual events for the client but also to show the effectiveness of adding the dehumidifier system.
See another real-world example: our Cold Storage & Process Freezer case study includes measured humidity data from another food processing facility and shows the impact of dehumidification in practice.
MEASURED RESULTS
Prior to dehumidifier installation the humidity in the process freezer consistently sat between 60 - 80%. After installing and commissioning the system, humidity dropped and has remained around 20%.
Experiencing ice, fog or condensation in a cold store or process freezer? Talk to a Humiscope specialist