In this article, before learning about the main benefits of plug-in cooling systems, it’s important to first understand what a cooling system actually is, the process in general, which categories currently exist on the market and the benefits of plug-in cooling systems.
What is a Cooling System?
A cooling system is a set of interconnected components designed with the aim of removing the internal heat existing in a given piece of equipment, ensuring a low relative operating temperature, which in turn allows perishable products to be kept in the conditions necessary for their storage. In other words, it is understood that refrigeration is a thermodynamic process in which its main function involves removing heat from an isolated system to the surrounding environment, with the aid of a refrigerant fluid.
How does a Plug-in Cooling System work?
Here you need to understand that most cooling equipment works on the principle of mechanical vapour compression. Thus, a typical refrigeration system is made up, among other things, of 4 main components: compressor, condenser, expansion device and evaporator. Each of these components gives rise to stages in which chemical transformations take place:
- Compressor: the refrigerant (refrigerant fluid) circulates in the refrigeration system until it is consecutively switched between a liquid and gaseous state. Thus, the compressor is responsible for compressing the liquid refrigerant into superheated vapour, going from low pressure or evaporation pressure to high pressure or condensation pressure. In this way, the pressurised and superheated refrigerant gas migrates to the condenser;
- Condenser: this is where the cycle’s heat rejection takes place, i.e. the fluid in saturated gas form is condensed along the heat exchanger, which in contact with the air transfers heat to the environment. This process takes the refrigerant from superheated vapour to compressed liquid;
- Expansion device: expansion is the stage where there is a sudden but controlled loss of pressure which reduces the fluid pressure, i.e. from condensing pressure to evaporating pressure. In an ideal cycle, it is considered to be isenthalpic, disregarding variations in kinetic and potential energy;
- Evaporator: evaporation is the stage where the refrigerant enters the coil as a predominantly liquid mixture and absorbs heat from the air forced by the fan. When it receives this heat, the saturated refrigerant vaporises, absorbing latent heat and sensible heat.
What Types of Plug-in Equipment are there?
Today, there is a wide range of equipment available on the market and accessible to B2B customers.
When purchasing, you should consider which equipment fulfils your needs based on your specific business requirements:
- Orientation: vertical and horizontal;
- Type of cooling: positive (refrigeration) and negative (conservation);
- Concept of use: supermarket, ice cream and frozen food, drinks, mobile, etc.
What are the 5 Benefits of Plug-in Cooling Systems?
In a dynamic and modern refrigeration landscape, the search for efficient and flexible solutions has become imperative. In this context, plug-in cooling systems have emerged as an innovative and effective response to the challenges faced by various industries. Unlike traditional approaches, plug-in systems offer a range of benefits that not only simplify installation and maintenance, but also optimise operational efficiency. There are therefore many strengths to this system, the main ones being:
- Quick and Easy Installation
Plug-in equipment is considerably quicker to install than more complex cooling systems, as there is no need to build any specific infrastructure. In short, all you have to do is plug the unit into the appropriate power socket and it’s ready for use (you just have to wait for the indoor temperature to drop);
- Initial and Operating Costs
As a rule, Plug-in solutions have a simpler installation and a less complex refrigeration system, which means a lower initial purchase cost compared to centralised refrigeration systems. As installation is simple and does not require specialised labour, the costs associated with installing Plug-in equipment are low;
- Simplified Maintenance
The simple and mostly quick maintenance of Plug-in equipment allows for reduced downtime. This is essential in environments where operational continuity is critical, in order to minimise food waste and its associated costs;
- Energy Efficiency
Plug-in equipment generally has shorter distances between the indoor and outdoor units, which reduces heat losses along the refrigerant lines. Especially in installations with longer lines, heat losses are more likely to occur and therefore lead to higher energy expenditure;
- Layout Customisation
Plug-in units are self-contained units that can be easily positioned in strategic locations at the POS as required. This allows flexibility in the layout of the space to be cooled, meeting the specific needs of the environment. The modular nature of Plug-in units makes it easy to adapt and change the layout of any commercial space. If you want to reorganise the space, you can simply move the Plug-in units around to optimise operational efficiency.
These are the main benefits of plug-in cooling systems, in which you must first understand which equipment best suits your business needs or even the needs of your point of sale.
Considering the concept of utilisation, find out which FRICON premium equipment is best adapted to your business:
- Supermarket range;
- Ice-cream and frozen food range;
- Drinks range;
- Mobile range.