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Delivering Precision Cooling for a New Dairy Filling Room
Here at Penmann, we recently completed the successful design, installation and commissioning of a specialist commercial air conditioning system for a new dairy filling room at Pattemores Dairy Ingredients in Somerset. This project reflects our continued commitment to supporting UK food manufacturers with precisely engineered hygienic climate control systems that are built to withstand the rigours of temperature-sensitive production environments.
The client approached us with a clear requirement: to maintain a consistent room temperature between 10°C and 15°C – ideally closer to 10°C – to support safe and efficient dairy processing. Following a detailed site visit and technical assessment, we designed a bespoke air handling system that delivers reliable performance using a chilled glycol supply as the primary cooling medium.
Easy Project Integration
We supplied and installed a weatherproof air handling unit (AHU) located externally on an existing platform, allowing for optimal use of space and easy integration with the building’s infrastructure. The AHU was specified with a robust chilled water coil providing approximately 68kW of cooling, supported by a high-efficiency 11kW backward-curved centrifugal fan to ensure adequate air movement throughout the space. The room’s heat load calculations revealed a total sensible gain of 35.82kW, which included machinery heat emissions, lighting, infiltration, and occupancy. To ensure excellent air quality, the system uses a dual-stage filtration process. Primary ePM10 50% filters and secondary ePM1 85% filters help maintain hygiene and protect both the process and personnel from airborne contaminants.
Textile Sock Ducting
Textile sock ducting was selected for internal air distribution. This option offers a hygienic, cost-effective alternative to traditional ducting and is ideally suited to the food industry. Made from fire-retardant, anti-microbial polyester, the ductwork was designed in a D-profile to suit the filling room dimensions and deliver low-velocity air evenly across the space, preventing cold spots and draughts. We also introduced a constant volume of fresh air to maintain room pressurisation, supporting hygiene by minimising infiltration from surrounding areas. The AHU operates primarily in recirculation mode but with a fresh air intake that helps keep internal conditions stable and compliant with industry expectations.
Practical Energy-Efficient Solutions
This project highlights our capability to deliver practical, energy-efficient solutions that meet strict hygiene, temperature, and airflow standards. From concept through to commissioning, our in-house team handled every aspect of the project, including the control panel design and full electrical installation.
At Penmann, we understand the challenges food processors face—especially when balancing temperature, hygiene and energy performance. That’s why our industrial ventilation and process cooling systems are engineered to meet the specific needs of our clients. If you’re looking to improve environmental control within your food production areas, we’d be happy to discuss how we can help.
To learn more about our solutions or to speak with our team, please get in touch.