Passive Condenser Shelf

Introducing a new and exciting technology
development in refrigerated cabinets

In a refrigeration shelf application, a simple condenser, which forms a part of the shelf, is chilled in the cold airflow behind the refrigerators back panel. The temperature of the condenser immediately drops to the temperature of the airflow and within seconds the temperature of the shelf drops to that same temperature.

The vast majority of commercial refrigeration cabinets hold food produce on stainless steel shelves and relies on cold air circulation to maintain food at the temperatures required. The effectiveness of this method of cooling will vary depending upon the density of the produce in the cabinet and it is typical that there will be warm spots where the produce is not maintained at the desired temperature.

In an effort to overcome this temperature variability, and to maintain food quality, the circulated air is often chilled to below freezing. This creates the need to run compressor defrost cycles which adds to overall energy consumption, leads to very inconsistent produce temperatures within the cabinet and can create uncomfortably cold shopping aisles.

In a refrigeration shelf application, a simple condenser, which forms a part of the shelf, is chilled in the cold airflow behind the refrigerators back panel. The temperature of the condenser immediately drops to the temperature of the airflow and within seconds the temperature of the shelf drops to that same temperature. This means that the shelf is now an active part of the cooling process.

This significantly changes the mode of operation of a commercial refrigeration cabinet, even in retrofit applications. Cold air circulation still plays a part but two additional cooling processes are introduced.

It is possible the shelf life of fresh produce could be extended as a result of this increased chilling ‘consistency’