News 2022-04-05
August 26, 2021
How can we optimize fruit quality and ensure the long-term performance of fruit-growing regions?
For comprehensive, effective, and sustainable management
Whether it’s apples, pears, cherries, or melons, fruit processing facility operators must deal with preservation issues on a daily basis. These challenges require solutions tailored to the specific characteristics of each fruit and to weather conditions, and they need facilities that provide comprehensive, efficient, and sustainable management.
Equans France supports producers, fruit growers, wholesalers, and cooperatives that manage fruit storage facilities to balance the quality of their produce, optimize the performance of their facilities, and reduce their environmental impact.
Ensuring food security while reducing the environmental impact
Maintaining fruit quality after harvest during storage is a fundamental challenge for producers. Moreover, in the food industry, food safety must be fully guaranteed. Storage conditions for harvested fruit must be optimized to ensure this safety, in part through the continuity of the cold chain. Furthermore, environmental standards regarding refrigerants require proactive planning through the creation of sustainable refrigeration systems that respect living organisms and minimize environmental impact.
Aximax: A comprehensive solution to effectively address the challenges of fruit preservation
Developed based on a study of the challenges and needs of industry stakeholders, the Aximax solution is custom-designed to address the specific challenges of this sector. Since 2017, Equans France has been supporting SCEA Saint Aubert, a family-owned table apple farm, in its transition to high-performance, more energy-efficient fruit processing facilities. Through this contract, Equans France addresses all aspects of fruit preservation.
Equans France's Technical Solutions for Fruit Preservation
To support industry stakeholders in their transition, Equans France has implemented a range of solutions tailored to the needs and circumstances of each of its clients
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- Centralized Technical ManagementDesigned specifically for fruit storage facilities, the Aximax Centralized Technical Management (CTM) system ensures the monitoring and control of facilities—either on-site or remotely—tailored to the specific type of fruit being stored.
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- Refrigeration Production and ControlThe facilities are designed with the specific fruits being stored in mind, and the cold storage rooms follow specific temperature-control processes managed through the building automation system.
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- Cyclic ventilationIn conjunction with temperature control, ventilation is managed on a cyclical basis to counteract the natural respiration of the fruit, which releases ethylene.
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- Heat RecoveryThese heat exchangers and loops recover the heat generated during the cooling process and prevent the need for additional energy production. These systems qualify for Energy Savings Certifications (CEE).
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- HumidityHumidifiers are controlled independently in each room, depending on the type of fruit being stored.
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- Refrigerants with low environmental impactNew solutions, such as low-carbon refrigerants like ammonia or HFOs, make it possible to comply with current regulations and reduce the environmental impact compared to HFCs.
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