Northfield Engineering’s Cooling Solutions division supports the dairy industry when it comes to all things cooling and refrigeration related.
Our team consists of a hand-selected group of technicians with a dedicated installation team, a very competent service team, a breakdown team and a manufacturing team in our workshop.
Support for the dairy industry
Services offered by our Cooling Solutions team include:
COOLING TANKS
Northfield Engineering’s Cooling Solutions division is the agent for Serap Milk cooling tanks in Sub – Saharan Africa, carrying the full range of spare parts for the Serap tank and washer range. Serap milk tanks, manufactured in Mayenne France, are widely considered to be world leading products when it comes to on-farm milk storage and cooling. Serap tanks, are available in multiple sizes and can be manufactured to clients’ requirements. Tanks are available in capacities ranging from 900 to 30 000 litres. Manufactured from AISA 304 Stainless steel, Serap bulk tanks are compliant with the most stringent food processing requirements. Serap Rainbow Washers are intelligent tank management devices. These come fitted to any new Serap bulk tank but can also be retrofitted onto any existing cooling tank.
These smart devices guarantee effective washing of bulk tanks, critical to avoid bacteria build up.
For more information, visit the Serap website at: https://www.groupeserap.com/
Tanks are available in capacities ranging from 900 to 30 000 litres
ICE BANKS
Ice banks, in conjunction with plate heat exchangers, are a highly effective and efficient means of rapidly chilling milk before it enters the bulk tank. Insulated 5000 litre fiberglass tanks are fitted with copper coils through which refrigerant, from the condensing unit is cycled. Ice build-up around the copper core enables a battery of ice and cold water to be developed outside of milking times.
During the milking process this ice water is cycled through a plate-heat-exchanger rapidly chilling milk to a desired 3 – 4 degrees Celsius before it enters the bulk tank. Our ice bank systems are custom-made and can be sized to fit specific heard sizes and milk volumes.
COOLING TOWERS
Cooling towers are another highly effective and affordable means of chilling milk before it enters the bulk milk tank.
Water from the cooling tower is cycled through the plate-heat-exchanger, pre-chilling the milk prior to entering the milk tank.
An ice bank system can be employed to further chill the milk in ‘phase two’ of the plate heat exchanger.
(See section above on ice banks)
HEAT RECOVERY
Heat Recovery systems are a means of capturing and storing heat from the compressors on the condensing unit. The heated refrigerant gas is cycled through a copper coil and housed in a 2500 litre insulated fiberglass tank which is filled with water.
The heat from the refrigerant is transferred to the
water in the insulated tank, reliably heating the water to 55 – 60 degrees Celsius. This heated water serves as the source for all geysers and hot water points around the milking parlour, drastically reducing electricity consumption and saving on heating costs.
CONDENSING UNITS
The Cooling Solutions team manufacture complete condensing unit systems. These are sized according to the cooling demand of your milking parlour, offering optimal cooling with energy saving capabilities. Condensing units are the backbone of the cooling system on any dairy farm and require after-sales service and maintenance. Our field technicians and support crews are on 24/7 standby to service our clients across South Africa.
DETERGENT DISPENSER
Cooling Solutions manufacture a state-of-the-art universal chemical dispenser that can be either wall mounted or fitted onto a free-standing frame. This unit is used to house the necessary acids, soaps, and detergents needed for the milk tank wash – cycle, once milk has been collected by the milk processor.
These units allow parlour staff to observe liquid levels within the dispenser, ensuring the system is filled before it runs dry. The removable glass compartments make for easy cleaning of this useful device.
