Regional Distribution Centre

ADA was tasked with replacing a 30-year-old inefficient and unreliable dual temperature ammonia refrigeration system at a regional distribution centre.

Problem:

The main challenge was to replace the old refrigeration system without interrupting the operations of the distribution center. The site was a fully operational facility that supported retail outlets, and any disruption to its operations would lead to significant financial losses. Additionally, the existing fresh food and produce chillers had to maintain operational temperatures throughout the project. The existing chilled chambers and plantroom were separate buildings connected by a high-level service bridge, making logistics a significant issue.

Solution:

ADA provided a temporary cooling solution for both chilled chambers while the existing refrigeration system was decommissioned and removed, allowing sufficient space for the new ammonia system. Careful planning with the onsite RDC operational team enabled the selection of the best times to perform key switchovers from existing cooling solutions to temporary back to the new systems. ADA engineers ensured minimal disruption to the RDC customers (retail outlets) and minimal on-site operational disruption to the live distribution site.

Result:

The project was delivered on time, and there was no significant disruption to the distribution center’s operations. This new system delivered enhanced operational performance, leading to improved overall efficiency and considerable energy savings.

Conclusion:

The replacement of the 30-year-old inefficient and unreliable dual temperature ammonia refrigeration system at the regional distribution centre was successfully completed by ADA. The project was logistically challenging, but through careful planning and execution, ADA was able to provide a temporary cooling solution for both chilled chambers while ensuring minimal disruption to the RDC customers and minimal on-site operational disruption. The new refrigeration system was more reliable and had an overall improved performance, leading to significant cost savings for the client.