6000 m³ Innovative Vaccine Cold Storage Project for the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (Kunming)

Project Background and Client Challenge

The Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (IMB-CAMS), located in Kunming, China, is a national-level research and vaccine production organization with WHO reference laboratory responsibilities.

With the rapid expansion of vaccine R&D and scaled biological production, the client faced several key challenges:

• Managing multiple vaccine temperature zones within one facility
• Ensuring strict compliance with GSP, ISO, and EN standards
• Achieving centralized monitoring and traceable temperature records
• Controlling long-term operating costs, especially electricity consumption
• Allowing flexible temperature adjustment for different vaccine types and research phases

HAOCOOL was selected to design and construct a high-reliability, multi-zone vaccine cold storage system capable of meeting URS requirements while remaining energy-efficient and scalable.

Cold Storage Capacity and Temperature Configuration

This project delivers a total cold storage volume of approximately 6,000 cubic meters, divided into 16 independent cold rooms, each with adjustable temperature control.

Storage Zones and Temperature Ranges

• 11 vaccine cold rooms: +2°C to +8°C
• 3 frozen storage rooms: −20°C
• 1 cool room (controlled ambient): +15°C to +20°C
• 1 ambient room: standard room temperature

All cold rooms are designed as five-sided insulated structures, ensuring stable temperature performance and operational flexibility.

How Much Vaccine Can Be Stored

Based on standard vaccine storage density:

• Approximate storage capacity:
  900–1,100 tons of vaccine products (depending on packaging, shelving system, and airflow spacing)

This capacity supports both bulk vaccine storage and high-turnover distribution operations.

Engineering Solution and System Design

To ensure temperature stability, safety, and long-term reliability, HAOCOOL implemented a high-specification medical cold storage system.

Insulation and Structural System

• 150 mm polyurethane sandwich panels (double-sided color steel)
• Suitable for +2–8°C and −20°C environments
• B1-grade flame-retardant insulation
• XPS insulation applied to flooring for thermal stability and load resistance
• Air curtain systems installed at all key access points to reduce cold loss

Refrigeration and Control System

• 4 sets of medium & high-temperature Emerson scroll compressor units
• 22 high-efficiency air coolers for uniform airflow
• Siemens PLC-based centralized control system
• Siemens TP1200 HMI touch screen interface
• Schneider industrial electrical components

Construction & Completion Photos