Abattoir Humidification

Moisture loss occurs largely during the early stages of the cooling process when the air supply is at its lowest and the carcases at their peak temperature. Cattle can lose up to 3% of their weight due to loss of moisture in the first 12 hours of cooling. 

As it is not allowed to spray water directly onto the beef carcasses, the idea of abattoir humidification is to lessen the weight loss. The average weight loss is approximately 6kg and can have major cost implications. With the use of humidification, it is now achievable to increase humidity levels in the chill down areas, in order for the chilled air to absorb moisture from the air and not the meat, therefore preventing weight loss.

The nozzles are controlled via a control panel with the output being modulated in relation to the off coil air temperature from the evaporators so that as the carcass temperature falls the requirement for cooling decreases so the output from the sprays are reduced.

As an example to its effectiveness, by using the Misting SA humidification system in one cattle abattoir, the losses from the stores fell from 3% to around 0.5%.

How does Misting SA control the environment?

With the use of Misting SA’s series of speciality MIST nozzles placed in a line around the perimeter of an area, or by using specially designed MISTING rings, attached to box / oscillating fans, when connected to a high pressure MISTING system pump, water is forced through the specialty nozzles and quickly atomized to droplets as small as (5 microns).

Misting systems will produce billions of tiny droplets every second. If these droplets are introduced into an outdoor area, they quickly evaporate. This process of evaporation requires energy to be completed. The energy is taken from the air in the form of heat. The result is a temperature reduction of up to 12 degrees, depending on the ambient temperature and the relative humidity of the air. This method of temperature reduction is the most common use for all MISTING systems.

When misting systems are placed inside an enclosed area (such as a greenhouse), the billions of droplets that are produced will initially provide cooling as the droplets evaporate. However, if the air exchange is limited, the misting system will continue to increase the humidity level within the structure. Humidity levels as high as 90+% are possible. This unique characteristic of all misting systems makes them ideal for both outdoor cooling and humidification.