20 Pallet Eco Vacuum Cooler

20 Pallet Eco Vacuum Cooler

This Eco model is designed for the largest planned Cold Change pallet batch format, where twenty-pallet cooling cycles need coordinated vacuum capacity, refrigeration duty, utilities and production scheduling.

Compare this configuration with the standard 20 Pallet Vacuum Cooler using the same product, pallet load, temperature targets and production schedule.

Eco engineering focus

• Variable-speed vacuum pumping matched to the cycle profile
• Application-specific refrigeration capacity
• PLC/HMI programmes for repeatable high-volume operation
• Project review of electrical supply, ambient conditions and cycles per hour

Project sizing

Final configuration will be selected from the actual product, batch mass, starting and target temperatures, packaging, site conditions and required throughput. Energy performance is assessed against actual duty and site operating conditions.

The Cold Change 20 Pallet ECO Vacuum Cooler is a high-capacity project configuration for growers, packhouses and fresh-produce processors planning to cool up to twenty pallets in one coordinated batch. Its ECO engineering focus is variable-speed vacuum pumping, application-matched refrigeration and controls configured around the actual production duty rather than a fixed headline energy figure.

This page is intended to sit alongside the standard 20 Pallet Vacuum Cooler. The two configurations should be compared using the same product, pallet loading, starting temperature, target temperature, cycles per hour, ambient conditions and electrical supply.

What the ECO configuration means

ECO refers to how the vacuum and refrigeration systems are selected and controlled for the project. It does not imply that every installation will achieve the same percentage saving. Actual electrical consumption depends on the product load, required pressure profile, cooling duty, operating hours and site conditions.

• Variable-speed vacuum pumping matched to the required cycle profile
• Refrigeration capacity selected for the product and batch duty
• PLC and touchscreen HMI programmes for repeatable operation
• Review of electrical supply, ambient conditions and planned cycles per hour
• Project-specific monitoring and remote-support options where required
• Refrigerant selection reviewed for the installation country and project requirements

Designed around high-volume production

A twenty-pallet chamber can support operations where large quantities arrive from harvesting, packing or processing within a short production window. Correct sizing must consider more than chamber capacity alone. Loading and unloading time, pallet movement, upstream production and downstream cold storage all affect the practical number of cycles that can be completed.

Cold Change therefore assesses the complete production schedule. The objective is to select a vacuum pump arrangement, refrigeration duty and control sequence that can meet the required throughput without relying on an unsupported one-size-fits-all specification.

Products and applications

Vacuum cooling is most effective for products that can release moisture under reduced pressure. The process and equipment configuration must be assessed for the individual product, packaging and target condition.

• Mushrooms
• Lettuce and leafy vegetables
• Broccoli and selected vegetables
• Cut flowers
• Turf
• Other suitable fresh produce and process applications following technical review

Product trials or validated operating data may be required where the cooling response is uncertain. No fixed cooling time should be assumed without confirming product mass, initial temperature, target temperature, packaging and moisture behaviour.

Cycle and energy assessment

The vacuum pumps do not necessarily need to operate at maximum speed throughout every stage of a cooling cycle. A variable-speed system can be programmed around the evacuation and cooling profile selected for the application. Refrigeration control must be coordinated with the vacuum cycle so that cooling performance, vapour handling and equipment operation are considered together.

For a meaningful comparison, Cold Change can model or measure energy use against an agreed duty: product type, kilograms per batch, temperature reduction, cycle duration and daily operating hours. This avoids presenting a theoretical saving that may not reflect the customer’s production conditions.

Controls and operating information

The final control package can provide repeatable programmes for different products or loading conditions. Depending on the agreed specification, operating information may include cycle time, product temperature, alarms, service information and energy data. Remote connectivity can also be discussed for diagnostics and technical support.

Operator access, languages, data requirements and interfaces with conveyors or wider packhouse controls should be confirmed during project engineering.

Installation and material flow

A twenty-pallet vacuum cooler requires early review of access, chamber position, pallet routes and service clearances. The project assessment should include:

• Pallet dimensions, maximum load and loading pattern
• Forklift, pallet-truck or conveyor movement
• One-door or through-flow production layout where applicable
• Available electrical supply and site utilities
• Ambient temperature and equipment location
• Drainage, cleaning and maintenance access
• Required production hours and planned cycles per shift

These details influence chamber arrangement, equipment selection and the practical integration of the cooler into the production line.

Standard or ECO?

The standard 20 Pallet Vacuum Cooler provides the reference high-capacity machine format. The ECO option should be considered when the project would benefit from variable-speed pumping and a detailed energy assessment based on actual duty. Neither option should be selected from the model name alone.

For lower batch requirements, compare the 18 Pallet ECO Vacuum Cooler and 16 Pallet ECO Vacuum Cooler.

Information required for a quotation

To size and quote a 20 Pallet ECO Vacuum Cooler, please provide:

• Product or products to be cooled
• Pallet dimensions and average and maximum weight per pallet
• Starting and required final product temperatures
• Required pallets, kilograms or tonnes per hour
• Available loading and unloading time
• Packaging type and airflow or moisture considerations
• Installation country, ambient conditions and electrical supply
• Preferred material-flow and door arrangement

Request a project-specific quotation. Cold Change will confirm the proposed vacuum system, refrigeration duty, controls and any monitoring options before an offer is issued.