From old to as new
Recycling an old chicken shed to become a viable storage facility for a Canterbury onion farm was a huge success – thanks to NZ Foam and Snow Temp.
Providing the market with 800 tonnes of red onions annually, and storing up to 12,000kgs at a time, off-site storage was a costly solution and at times logistically problematic for Roper & Sons Ltd. The company’s expansive, barren building had possibility, but it was deemed unusable with its own limitations.
However, the eureka moment happened when owner/operator Lance Roper read about existing building conversions using the unique insulating properties of foam. Two months after consultation, a cost-efficient, functioning operation was in full swing.
He now reaps the benefits, and opportunities, from storing produce on site. NZ Foam Insulation and Snow Temp Heating and Cooling Solutions collaborated to create the only possible solution on an economically viable budget. Tangible, and arguably perfect, results were immediate.
Graham from Snow Temp’s comments
Snow Temp and NZ foam worked together to provide cooling solutions for the storage of 240,000 kg of Red Onions at 1 °C.
An old chicken shed was available which NZ Foam spayed with 80mm of foam and Snow Temp supplied a division wall and the main door constructed of 100mm polystyrene panel to create an insulated environment.
Our design model was based on refrigerant R407F coupled to 4 matching evaporators, providing the condensing units which were located outside on the ground for easy servicing and cleaning. There are 4 x evaporators mounted down the centre of the room to allow for air distribution and circulation around the products. Each room has 2 x evaporators and individual digital temperature control. With this set up we are able to control each space individually or as one.
During the commissioning phase the product temperature was down to 2°C and with the refrigeration equipment isolated, the temperature rise of the product was 0.9°C over a 20hr period proving the performance of the insulating properties of the spray foam.
This was the first project where we have used foam in this type of application and have been most impressed with the results and the application.
Interview with ROPER AND SON LTD - Lincoln
NZ Foam asked Lance about the performance of his cool store shed after having it insulated with spray foam insulation.
Two years on, the shed has proven cost effective, usable all year round, and maintains a constant 3C with power savings due t the super insulative properties of spray foam insulation.
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