Yunnan Berry Cooling at 1900m Elevation — CVF-2000-4P
Driscoll's Yunnan facility uses a CVF-2000-4P vacuum pre-cooler at 1900m elevation — cooling blueberries and raspberries from 25°C to 2°C in 30 minutes with altitude-compensated dual-pump configuration.
The Challenge
Driscoll’s operates at approximately 1,900m elevation in Yunnan, China. Standard vacuum pump performance derates by approximately 15% at this altitude. Without compensation, cooling cycle times would be inconsistent and final temperature targets could not be reliably met.
The Solution
We installed a CVF-2000-4P (4-pallet) vacuum pre-cooler with altitude-specific engineering:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | CVF-2000-4P (4 pallet) |
| Product | Blueberry / Raspberry |
| Capacity | ~2,000 kg per batch |
| Cooling result | 25°C → 2°C in ~30 min |
| Compressor | BITZER CSH7573 |
| Vacuum pumps | Dual Busch RD0360A (altitude compensated) |
| Status | ✅ Running since 2022 |
Our engineering team compensated for the altitude by specifying a dual-pump layout (Busch RD0360A ×2) and adjusting the vacuum setpoint to account for the lower ambient pressure.
Results
- Berry core temperature drops from field heat to 2°C in under 30 minutes
- No condensation issues reported
- Consistent berry quality through the supply chain
- Reliable operation across multiple growing seasons
Key Takeaway
Altitude correction is non-negotiable for highland growers. Always specify pump models with elevation derating built in — approximately 10–15% per 1,000m above sea level.