CALAMCO Cold Storage

STOCKTON, Calif. -- Oceangoing vessels tied up at the Port of Stockton have been a common sight for motorists driving Interstate 5 along the Stockton Channel for years. For many, the sight has given rise to thoughts of far-off, often exotic destinations.

Now, those same motorists have something else to ponder -- two giant domes. Futuristic in appearance, the domes have a very down-to-earth purpose. They are used to store apples.

The domes, which are each 230 feet in diameter and 115 feet high, were built for the California Ammonia Co. (CALAMCO). Each dome is big enough to hold 600 semi-truck loads of apples.

In the center of each dome sits a 100-foot-tall cooling tower that doubles as the pivot point for a large, computer controlled crane. This crane automatically places and removes large containers that hold 26 bins of apples. Each container weighs over 13 tons.

Inside a controlled atmosphere of one percent oxygen and less than one percent carbon-dioxide, the apples are "put to sleep" to prevent further aging. The temperature is kept at a constant 34 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Monolithic Dome is especially suited for any kind of cold or frozen storage. For instance, the cooling evaporators are placed above the product. By placing the cooling units above the product a natural down flow of cool air occurs. This down flow encapsulates the product with conditioned air. Keeping the equipment up high also protects the equipment from damage.

Product stacking inside a Dome allows for a circular aisle along the inside perimeter of the Dome, as well as a center aisle. This allows for better utilization of space and travel time to load and retrieve product is minimal for both automated and manual retrieval.

The massive thermal capacity of this structure is highly resistant to change in temperature. A Monolithic Dome cold storage uses half the cooling equipment and will keep an even temperature regardless of the outside weather.

230' diameter and 115' high

3 million cubic feet and stores 600 semi-loads of apples.

Eleven stories tall and covers almost an acre.

This controlled atmosphere cold storage has an automated crane.

177 Dome Park Place - Italy, TX 76651
Tel (972)483-7423 - Fax (972)483-6662
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