Improvement of existing concepts and refrigeration technologies: advanced control and thermal energy storage applied to food refrigeration
Amélioration des concepts et technologies existantes de réfrigération : contrôle avancé et stockage de froid
Résumé
In a context of greenhouse gas emissions, oil price rising and intermittent renewable energy sources, energy storage, and more specifically thermal energy storage is one of the best candidates to reduce and optimize the energy use of refrigerating systems. Moreover, the temperature stability and the autonomy of those systems in case of power failure, related to the use of thermal energy storage devices, is also an important factor of food quality and security enhancement. The thermal energy storage (TES) technology has already attracted a number of applications. From short-term storage in food containers to long-term storage in low temperature warehouses, food engineering should also take a full advantage of its potential. Coupled with control strategies as predictive control approach, it can lead to a drastic reduction of energy consumption and a significant product quality enhancement. Through two cases, this paper proposes to show the potential of those technologies for food applications.