State-of-the-art thermal imaging tests carried out by Seymour Manufacturing have proved beyond doubt why Tempro® remains unchallenged as the world’s thinnest and most thermally efficient material of its kind.
A series of tests using the latest in hand-held thermal capture imaging technology were carried out to prove the effectiveness of Tempro®, used extensively as a thermal barrier in SMI’s Cold-Stop® curtains.
The curtains are a revolutionary alternative to the old plastic strip curtains traditionally used in cold rooms and freezers, saving customers millions on their energy bills and slashing their CO2 emissions.
SMI has invested in the new thermal imaging technology to demonstrate visually how the Tempro® product range saves 25 per cent of the energy consumed in chilled conditions and a staggering 33 per cent in freezers.
Tests carried out showed the internal face of the Cold Stop® curtains imaged by the thermal imaging camera was -22ºC, yet the surface outside temperature of the same curtains was only one degree below ambient, at 10ºC.
Chairman of SMI, Brian Seymour, said the new thermal testing system introduced in 2011 was typical of the ongoing programme undertaken by SMI to improve the Tempro® product range and the results would be used to refine existing products.
He said: “For our customers, which include major supermarkets in Europe and the UK including Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Tesco and Morrisons, 2010 was another year of positive results and energy savings using Cold Stop® cold room curtains and other products made from Tempro®.
“The traditional way to prevent high temperature ambient air entering a cold room or freezer when the heavy main door is open was to fit plastic strip curtains. Cold Stop® is the next generation of energy and CO2 saving thermal barriers, not only helping cut down carbon footprint but also saving customers millions of pounds in energy costs.
“Our sophisticated thermal imaging camera and Grant monitoring equipment has allowed SMI to prove conclusively the benefits of Tempro®, particularly the Cold Stop® curtains.”
“When supermarkets are making major efforts to not only cut energy costs, but also reduce CO2 emissions, we’re very pleased to have taken such a major step forward in proving the accuracy of our products, and delighted we can show our customers how well Tempro® performs.”
The UK’s supermarkets have highlighted reducing CO2 emissions as a main target for the next decade with the John Lewis Partnership, which owns 29 John Lewis shops and 226 Waitrose supermarkets in the UK, committing to reducing its absolute carbon emissions by 15 per cent by 2020.
The thermal imaging equipment has also assisted in the design of several new product developments which are attracting interest from a range of sectors, which will be off the drrawing board before summer this year.
Cold Stop, which also helps minimise ice build-up which can be a slip hazard in freezers, is a cost effective thermal barrier to the ambient air when a door is left open or in use. Cold-Stop® reduces the duty on evaporator equipment allowing optimum settings to quickly achieve an internal working temperature and has proven energy savings of up to 33 per cent in freezers.
A fireproof version of SMI’s Tempro® thermal material has also been manufactured for the last six months and is now included in all its Tempro® product range to BS5867 Pt2:1980 Type B using BS 5438: 1076 Test standard.
Seymour Manufacturing International
Brian Seymour
Tel: 01952 730630
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