Improvement of the system for freezing vegetables. a case study: frozen vegetable plant in the region of La Rioja (Spain)

This paper consists of the study and optimising of the cold cycle in a frozen vegetable plant in La Rioja (Spain). Various investigations have been undertaken to reduce consumption and improve the operability of the equipment used in the process. The paper describes the procedure for determining the operating parameters of the cold cycle, the data obtained and a series of improvement proposals, applied to an actual case study in a frozen vegetable plant in La Rioja (Spain).The study reveals the fragility of the production system insofar as it depends on atmospheric conditions to condense the ammonia in the cold cycle. The analysis of the existing production processes and the products and sub-products generated revealed a heat sink that could be used, based on treated waste water. The study also provides an analysis procedure specific to this type of industry.