ICCC is a biennial event and this year’s meeting highlighted issues relating to the cold chain and sustainability in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps.

The conference attracted an international audience of researchers and industrialists, bringing together all cold chain stakeholders. Topics covered included food, pharmaceuticals and other applications to explore latest developments and key technology trends.

Shaun Pitchers, thermodynamics engineer at Adande, presented a paper entitled ‘Performance comparison between shorter and conventional air curtains in retail display cabinets.’ The paper presented a description of short air curtain technology, based on Mr Pitchers’ work on the research and development of Adande’s Aircell air flow management system.

His presentation included a comparison between an Aircell open front refrigerated display cabinet and two conventional open front display cabinets from leading OEMs. All of the cabinets were tested to ISO 23953:2015. Mr Pitchers tabled data which demonstrated that the Aircell short air curtain technology had reduced the product temperature band by 4.8 degrees Celsius, whilst reducing energy consumption by 24.5 percent.

Adande’s engineering manager, Dr Catarina Marques, presented a paper entitled ‘CaRe: IIR working group with emphasis on women in refrigeration’. CaRe is an IIR initiative aimed at raising the profile of the refrigeration sector and promoting career opportunities in the industry, especially to the next generation of the workforce. The programme also supports career development and promotes opportunities for mentoring and networking.

Dr Marques is president of the IIR CaRe working group and her participation in this initiative has reinforced her ongoing commitment to making the refrigeration industry a more attractive career path for students, especially women.

During the conference, Dr Marques hosted informal networking sessions allowing students to engage with leading industry academics and experts.

In addition, Don Cleland from Massey University, New Zealand, provided an interview for CaRe in which he explained his attraction to the refrigeration industry and how he had developed his career in his chosen field.

Adande’s managing director, Ian Wood, said: “We pride ourselves on the academic qualities of our engineering personnel and their passion for the industry in which they operate.

“Dr Catarina and Shaun have presented top quality papers which were well received by delegates at this high profile conference. Their contributions further reinforce Adande’s commitment to sustainability in the cold chain.”