A cold room is an insulated, temperature-controlled walk-in room or chamber designed to maintain an artificially generated low temperature or range of temperatures for the preservation and storage of perishable goods. They are widely used across various industries as a more powerful and larger alternative to standard refrigerators or freezers. 

Key Uses

Cold rooms are primarily used to extend the shelf life and ensure the integrity and safety of temperature-sensitive products. 

Common applications and industries include:

  • Food Industry: Storing fresh and frozen perishable foods like meat, fish, dairy, fruits, and vegetables in professional kitchens, supermarkets, and large distribution centers.
  • Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Industry: Preserving the potency and quality of sensitive medications, vaccines, biological reagents, and lab materials that require strict temperature regulation.
  • Horticulture: Storing flowers and delicate plants.
  • Chemical/Engineering: Slowing down chemical reactions or storing specific industrial materials.
  • Other: Storage of textiles, tobacco products, artworks, and rare books.

Types and Temperature Ranges on Cold Room:

Cold rooms are classified by their operating temperature range: 

Type 

Temperature Range

Primary Use

Chiller/Positive Temp

0°C to 10°C (typically 2°C to 8°C)

Storing fresh food, beverages, and some medicines.

Freezer/Negative Temp

0°C to -28°C (typically -18°C or lower)

Storing frozen products, vaccines, and organic material.

Ultra-Low Temp/Blast Freezer

Below -30°C (down to -80°C)

Rapid freezing of food or specialized medical/industrial purposes.

Key Components

 A cold room system works on the same principles as standard refrigeration and includes the following main components: 

  • Insulated Panels: Form the walls, floor, and ceiling, made of materials like polyurethane foam, to ensure maximum thermal insulation and prevent temperature fluctuations.
  • Refrigeration System: The core mechanism for cooling, which includes:
    • Compressor: Pressurizes the refrigerant vapor.
    • Condenser: Cools the high-pressure gas into a liquid, dissipating heat to the outside environment.
    • Expansion Device/Valve: Rapidly reduces the pressure of the liquid refrigerant before it enters the evaporator.
    • Evaporator: Absorbs heat from the inside of the room, turning the liquid refrigerant into a cool gas and thus cooling the internal air.
  • Control Panel: Manages and monitors the temperature, humidity, and operational settings.
  • Safety Features: Include emergency escape mechanisms, internal alarms, and pressure release valves for freezing