Air conditioning system optimizes environment for sensitive products.A consortium composed of 17 research partners from seven countries across Europe has developed a new atmospheric air conditioning air conditioning, mechanical process for controlling the humidity, temperature, cleanliness, and circulation of air in buildings and rooms. Indoor air is conditioned and regulated to maintain the temperature-humidity ratio that is most comfortable and healthful. system designed specifically to control the environment in which food products are processed. The central thrust of the research involved finding suitable thermal exchangers for the system and validating the hygiene performance of this atmospheric air conditioning system. Researchers also addressed such issues as flexibility and safety, as well as cost, along with an underlying concern to reduce the impact on the environment. The process was validated by tests carried out in laboratories and food manufacturing facilities. The heat exchangers heat exchanger Any of several devices that transfer heat from a hot to a cold fluid. In many engineering applications, one fluid needs to be heated and another cooled, a requirement economically accomplished by a heat exchanger. were designed and based on mathematical models. How they function was optimized based on a set of criteria that influences heat transfer. Investigators also validated and corrected numeric models in accordance with the results of the industrial trials. They designed the software regarding the performance of the exchanger. The results prove that the numeric model, with minimal changes in temperature, hygrometry hygrometry /hy·grom·e·try/ (hi-grom´e-tre) measurement of moisture in the atmosphere. hy·grom·e·try n. See psychrometry. or air velocity, was valid. Researchers created software to accurately size the system for end users such as agricultural food facilities. Scientists were able to integrate the heat exchangers into the air conditioning system and make the system maintainable as well. A complete pilot prototype has been built for performing all necessary tests to validate thermic thermic /ther·mic/ (ther´mik) pertaining to heat. thermic pertaining to heat. , hygrometric hy·grom·e·ter n. Any of several instruments that measure atmospheric humidity. hy  gro·met , hygienic hy·gien·icadj. 1. Of or relating to hygiene. 2. Tending to promote or preserve health. 3. Sanitary. and food product requirements. Cleaning tests have been done not only on the exchanger but also on the whole system. Results show that it is easily cleanable, and that the system satisfies hygiene recommendations. After investigators performed platform trials and optimized the completed system, tests were done with food products in processing facilities. The system improved product quality and safety. For example, it led to better quality on cheese crusts. Further information. Patrick Viviand, Mondial Mondial can refer to:
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