Solar powered evaporative cooled storage structure for storage of fruits and vegetables

SHEKH MUKHTAR MANSURI; P K SHARMA; D V K SAMUEL

doi:10.56093/ijas.v86i7.59825

Authors

SHEKH MUKHTAR MANSURI ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012
P K SHARMA ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012
D V K SAMUEL ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v86i7.59825

Keywords:

Evaporative cooling, Solar energy, Storage of fruits and vegetables

Abstract

A solar powered evaporative cooled storage structure (ECSS) was designed and developed for storage of fresh fruits and vegetables to increase their shelf-life. The structure consists of a solar powered exhaust fan and cooling pump for providing water to the pads. Cooling pads of different materials such as wood shaving, khas and celdec were used. The system works on the principle of a simple desert cooler. The pads are wetted with the help of circulating water through a solar powered pump and an exhaust fan sucks the cool air through the pads of the structure. The areas for the cooling system considered were 2.25 m², 4.5 m², 6.75 m² and 9 m² respectively. The results showed that under the no-load condition, the average air cooling efficiency was highest for CELdek at 78.67%, compared to 73.82% for wood wool and 70.75% for khas pad material and the maximum difference in relative humidity (RH) and dry bulb temperature between ambient and inside the cooler was 59% and 14.6°C when these materials were used in all four sides in the ECSS. This environment helped in keeping the vegetables fresh for significantly more time. This is very useful in rural areas where there is shortage of electricity or its supply is erratic for storage of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Basediya A L, Samuel D V K and Beera V. 2013. Evaporative cooling system for storage of fruits and vegetables-a review. Journal of Food Science and Technology 50(3): 429– 42. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-011-0311-6

Choudhury M L. 2006. Recent developments in reducing postharvest losses in the Asia-Pacific region. Postharvest Management of Fruit and Vegetables in the Asia-Pacific Region: 15–22.

Dahiya P S, Khatana, V S, Ilangantileke, S G, and Dabas, P S. 1997. Potato storage patterns and practices in Meerut District, Western Uttar Pradesh, India. Working Paper, Social Science Department (No. 1997–2).

Eltawil, M A M A and Samuel D V K. 2007. Solar PV powered cooling system for potato storage. Proceedings of 3rd International Conference on solar Radiation and Day Lighting. Anamaya Publishers, New Delhi, pp 358–67.

Getinet H, Seyoum T and Woldetsadik K. 2008. The effect of cultivar, maturity stage and storage environment on quality of tomatoes. Journal of Food Engineering 87: 467–78. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2007.12.031

Jain D. 2007. Development and testing of two-stage evaporative cooler. Building and Environment 42(7): 2 549–54. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2006.07.034

Jha S N. 2008. Development of a pilot scale evaporative cooled storage structure for fruits and vegetables for hot and dry region. Journal of Food Science and Technology 45(2): 148– 51.

Jha S N and Chopra, S. 2006. Selection of bricks and cooling pad for construction of evaporatively cooled storage structure. Institute of Engineers (I) (AG) 87: 25–8.

Johnson G I, and Sanghote S. 1993. Control of postharvest diseases of tropical fruits: Challenges for the 21st century. (In) Postharvest Handling of Fruits, ACIAR Proceedings, 50, pp 140–61.

Kitinoja L, Al Hassan H A, Saran S and Roy S K. 2010. Identification of appropriate postharvest technologies for improving market access and incomes for small horticultural farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Ngcobo M E, Delele M A, Opara U L, Zietsman C J and Meyer C J. 2012. Resistance to airflow and cooling patterns through multi-scale packaging of table grapes. International Journal of Refrigeration 35(2): 445–52. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2011.11.008

Nunes M C N, Emond J P, Rauth M, Dea S and Chau K V. 2009. Environmental conditions encountered during typical consumer retail display affect fruit and vegetable quality and waste. Postharvest Biology and Technology 51(2): 232–41. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2008.07.016

Okunade S O and Ibrahim M H. 2011. Assessment of the evaporative cooling system (ECS) for storage of Irish potato, Solanum tuberosum L. PAT 7(1): 74–83.

Pathare P B, Opara U L, Vigneault C, Delele M A and Al-Said F A J. 2012. Design of packaging vents for cooling fresh horticultural produce. Food and Bioprocess Technology 5(6): 2 031–45. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947-012-0883-9

Paull R. 1999. Effect of temperature and relative humidity on fresh commodity quality. Postharvest Biology and Technology 15(3): 263–77. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-5214(98)00090-8

Sharma P K and Samuel D V K. 2015. Solar photovoltaic (SPV) powered appliances for rural applications. Green Farming (International Journal of Applied Agricultural & Horticultural Sciences) 6(4): 904–7.

Vala K V and Joshi D C. 2010. Evaporatively cooled transportation system for perishable commodities. Journal of Agricultural Engineering 47(1): 27–33.

Verma L R and Joshi V K. 2000. Postharvest Technology. (In) General Concepts and Principles, 1, pp 5–6.

Workneh T S. 2007. Present status and future prospects of postharvest preservation technology of fresh fruit and vegetables in Ethiopia. Journal of the Ethiopian Society of Chemical Engineers 10(1): 1.