OPTIONS FOR CONTROL OF MOISTURE IN LOADING DOCKS FOR REFRIGERATED FACILITIES

摘要

Refrigerated loading docks often have moisture problems that can hamper compliance to food safety regulations. In particular, condensation on cold surfaces can be a source of microbial contamination and condensation or ice can create slip hazards. Furthermore high moisture levels can affect the efficacy of paper-based packaging systems. The moisture and heat loads for a typical frozen warehouse loading dock are predicted and used as the basis of an analysis of options to avoid or minimise such moisture problems. Door protection and keeping surfaces warm through insulation or heating are the most effective ways to control moisture but design and operation of cooling coils for dehumidification is a secondary strategy. In some circumstances, dehumidification using sorption systems might be necessary due to practical constraints and these systems can have competitive energy costs but tend to be capital intensive.