Introduction
As part of Termwork for Lab course HVAC&R, Industrial Visit for students of TEME was scheduled on Saturday, 15 February 2025 at A.A.Cold Storage and Ice Factory Pvt. Ltd. Students were asked to report directly at D-395, M.I.D.C. Ind. Estate, Next to Indian Oil Terminal, Village Kukshet, Turbhe, Navi Mumbai – 400705 at 10.30 am. Prof. Rahul Thavai, Prof. Saad Shaikh & Mr. Ansar Shaikh accompanied students for a visit.
About Company
Company is in the cold storage business since over 2 decades. Storage capacity is about 8500 metric tones at temperatures varying from 0 to 10 Celsius. Dry Storage facilities are also available in same premises. Unit is established over 5800 sq. meters of area, allocated by the MIDC under permanent R.C.C. structure R.C.C. roof, which facilitates easy loading and unloading of goods even under extreme climatic conditions. Sufficient floor space area facilitates easy movement. There doors have state of the art locking systems and sufficient light points along with uninterrupted electricity supply. The inventory management system is fully computerized providing updates for goods stored i.e. date of arrival and dispatch, nature of goods, quantity, packing, balance, location etc. Round the clock services and availability of labor at any given point in time enable us to meet the customer requirement promptly. Digital temperature display adds to the transparency of our service. Separate rooms for specialty items like vaccines, processed films and fruits with independent temperature control are also provided. The cold storage can accommodate more than ten containers and trucks of various sizes for simultaneous loading and unloading exercise.
About Visit
The visit to A.A. Cold Storage Pvt. Ltd. commenced at 11:00 AM with an informative session led by a trained professional. We were introduced to the key machinery of the facility, including a detailed explanation of the vapor compression cycle, the role of accumulators, and the various components of the HVAC system. We toured the six cold storage chambers, each maintaining temperatures between 0°C and 10°C. These chambers are crucial for storing food products destined for both export and domestic markets. The visit provided insight into the efficient storage systems used to preserve food items at optimal conditions. The tour continued with a visit to the solar plant control room, where we learned about the company’s commitment to sustainability. The plant generates approximately 1.6 megawatt-hours of energy, which is used to power the warehouse’s lighting and other essential services, excluding the HVAC system. The company is also planning to expand its solar energy capacity to meet future energy demands.
The visit concluded with a stop at the collection and sorting area, where products of the highest quality are sorted for export and for meeting future client demands. We were able to see firsthand the importance placed on quality control and efficient sorting processes. Throughout the day, we gained a deeper understanding of A.A. Cold Storage Pvt. Ltd.’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and excellent work ethics. The visit concluded at 3:00 PM, and we left with a sense of inspiration, enriched knowledge, and a renewed appreciation for time management and operational efficiency in the industry.