Steel Bare-Tube Evaporator Shelf

Lynxcool’s Steel Bare-Tube Evaporator Shelf is a durable, long-lasting static evaporator system consisting of multiple layers of parallel bare steel tubes connected by U-shaped return bends at the ends, all welded onto a sturdy steel frame. The refrigerant evaporates directly within the steel tubes, which serve simultaneously as both the cooling surface and the load-bearing shelving; pallets or products are placed directly upon them, facilitating highly efficient heat transfer.

Compared to aluminum plate or finned evaporators, this steel-tube structure offers superior resistance to impact and bending, requires no precision welding, and boasts a high load-bearing capacity, making it ideal for heavy-duty pallet storage, large-scale cold storage facilities, and seafood processing plants. Its fan-less, natural-convection design delivers a refrigeration effect characterized by zero energy consumption, high humidity levels, and minimal temperature fluctuation.

Place of Manufacture: Qingdao, China

Applicable Cold Storage Types: Ammonia-refrigerated cold stores, fish holds, blast freezers, meat storage facilities

Material: Carbon Steel

Service Life: 20–40 years

Technical Parameters

Each Steel Bare-Tube Evaporator Shelf undergoes pressure testing at our factory in China and is accompanied by comprehensive quality inspection, welding, and material reports, as well as an installation and maintenance manual.

In which fields can this product be used?

1. Large-Scale Ammonia Cold Storage and Palletized Refrigeration

Steel Bare-Tube Evaporator Shelving is suitable for storing meat, dairy products, fish, and frozen foods, accommodating both full-pallet and half-pallet configurations. It features highly efficient direct ammonia evaporation cooling and is designed to withstand heavy loads.

2. Fishing Vessel Fish Holds

Ideal for the refrigeration of whole fish, fish blocks, and salted fish, this system is engineered to withstand hull vibrations and seawater corrosion. Surface treatment options include hot-dip galvanizing or epoxy coating.

3. Meat Cold Storage and Blast Freezing Rooms

Designed for the storage of sectioned beef and pork—whether hung on hooks or placed on pallets—this system boasts a load-bearing capacity significantly superior to that of aluminum plate or finned evaporators, while providing excellent natural convection cooling.

4. Cold Storage Retrofitting and Replacement

Suitable for replacing aging evaporators, this solution offers customized dimensions, upgraded wall thickness, and modern refrigeration connection interfaces.

5. Brine Cooling Tanks and Immersion Evaporators

Featuring steel tubes immersed directly in brine coolant, this system ensures highly efficient heat exchange. Constructed from carbon steel compatible with both ammonia and brine, it is available in customized designs.

Key Technical Features

1. Welded Steel Pipe Structure: Integrates load-bearing and refrigeration functions; offers a service life of 20–40 years, eliminating the vulnerability issues associated with aluminum plates.

2. Ammonia Refrigeration Compatibility: Constructed from carbon steel that is resistant to ammonia corrosion, making it ideal for use in large-scale ammonia-based cold storage facilities and fish holds.

3. Hot Gas Defrosting: The preferred method for ammonia systems; it reuses compressor energy, ensuring high energy efficiency.

4. Natural Convection Cooling: Requires no fans, thereby maintaining high humidity levels and minimizing temperature fluctuations.

5. Heavy-Duty Design: Supports a load capacity of 200–2000 kg per tier, allowing for the direct placement of pallets.

6. Anti-Corrosion Treatment: Features hot-dip galvanizing or epoxy anti-corrosion paint, customized to suit specific environmental conditions.

Why Choose Lynxcool Steel Bare-Tube Evaporator Shelves?

1.Pressure Vessel Welding Certification: Welded by certified professionals in compliance with ASME IX, EN 287, and GB 150. Each unit is hydraulically tested before shipment.

2.Customized Cold Storage Dimensions: Designed to match your cold room layout, pallet height, and piping configuration.

3.Ammonia System Expertise: Optimized for evaporation pressure, defrost cycles, oil return, and liquid distribution.

4.Marine and Heavy Industry Experience: Suitable for fishing vessels and industrial use, with anti-vibration and anti-corrosion design, meeting classification standards.

5.Competitive China Pricing: 20–35% lower cost than comparable European products with consistent quality.

FAQ

Q: What is the difference between steel tube shelving and aluminum flat racking?

A: Both use fanless evaporators. Steel tube shelving uses multiple steel tubes as the support structure and refrigerant flow channels—its robust structure and heavier weight make it ideal for palletized goods, ammonia refrigeration systems, and marine environments. Aluminum flat racking uses a smooth flat surface—its lighter weight makes it more suitable for storing flat-bottomed products such as fish fillets, palletized packaging, or pharmaceuticals, and it also has excellent thermal conductivity. Lynxcool manufactures both types of racking and provides professional selection advice based on specific application scenarios.

Q: Why is carbon steel, rather than aluminum, typically used for ammonia refrigeration racking?

A: Steel has higher tensile and yield strength, allowing for the use of smaller diameter tubes when bearing heavy loads (500–1,000 kg per layer). Aluminum is typically used for lighter goods; and copper, due to its incompatibility with ammonia, is never used in ammonia refrigeration systems.

Q: What is the working principle of hot ammonia defrosting?

A: High-temperature ammonia vapor from the compressor flows through the piping within the rack, melting the frost by releasing latent heat. The condensed liquid ammonia then flows back to the refrigeration system. The entire defrosting cycle typically lasts 20–45 minutes, and it is more energy efficient than electric defrosting.

Q: What surface treatment process is recommended for marine environments or fishing vessel refrigerated holds?

A: We recommend a combination of "hot-dip galvanizing + double-layer anti-corrosion coating": first apply a zinc-rich epoxy primer, then apply a high-film-thickness epoxy topcoat. If the application environment is extremely harsh, we recommend adding an additional layer of polyurethane or polyurea topcoat. Specific anti-corrosion specifications need to be customized based on the ship type and actual operating conditions.

Q: Can you provide replacement racks based on the dimensions of existing equipment?

A: Yes. Please provide the specific dimensions of the existing racks, the type of refrigerant used, and detailed information on the connection interfaces. Lynxcool will then create dimensional drawings based on this information and submit them to the customer for confirmation before starting production. Production cycle (delivery time) is typically 5–9 weeks.

Q: Does the shelving support palletized goods?

A: Yes. We offer shelving shelves compatible with standard pallets, accommodating 800×1,200 mm or 1,000×1,200 mm pallets. Standard shelving has a rated load capacity of 500–1,500 kg per shelf; for loads exceeding 2,000 kg, we also offer structurally reinforced custom solutions. For non-standard custom designs, we will provide corresponding structural mechanics calculations.

Q: Where are these Steel Bare-Tube Evaporator Shelf manufactured? What quality standards do they meet?

A: These products are designed and manufactured in our factory in China, which is ISO 9001 quality management system certified. Quality assurance (QA) covers certified welders, material testing, 100% hydrostatic testing, surface inspection, and dimensional verification. All relevant documents will be delivered with the goods.