BIDDLE has launched a short film to highlight the problems associated with inefficient barriers between internal and external environments in coldstores.
The film, made on location at a frozen seafood company, is being mailed to all UK coldstore operations and is also available direct from Biddle’s UK head office free of charge. It supports Biddle’s launch in the UK of its MAT (multiple airstream technology) air curtain designed to prevent misting, ice build-up and energy loss.

Triple layer curtain

According to Biddle’s Adrian Higginson: “It comes at a time of increasing cases of employee injury claims; government plans to introduce corporate manslaughter legislation; and soaring energy costs as a result of oil price inflation. This is not really a horror movie,” he said “but an important case study for all UK coldstore operators. Coldstores are major energy users but they also need to provide continuous access in order to receive and despatch goods efficiently. This means they are constantly losing energy yet most are equipped with door systems or plastic strips which often give inadequate performance. Now we can provide an efficient, triple-layer air curtain which does not hinder access but actually acts as an efficient barrier between internal and external environments.'

The development of the MAT system emerged after computer simulations of air turbulence, temperature and velocity at Biddle’s Dutch research facility. The work was prompted by demand for a safe, energy-saving barrier from frozen food producers and distributors in France where there are already more than fifty installations of Biddle MAT.

Eliminates misting

The curtain, for door heights up to 3.7m, has been designed to deal with high stock-turnover coldstores operating typically at around -20˚ C to -24˚C. Misting, fogging and humidity problems affecting visibility, floor and wall icing are said to be eliminated.

This is achieved by three laminar air streams operating at temperatures determined by the intelligent microchip-controlled operating system. The centre air stream effectively acts as a sponge – becoming a barrier to temperature and moisture ingress. The MAT technology also has the effect of reducing the frequency of door and chiller maintenance and therefore adds to overall cost-efficiency in all parts of the cold- store operation.

Biddle Air Curtains

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