Development of a solar powered evaporative cooling storage system for tropical fruits and vegetables.
Olosunde W. A., Aremu A. K., Onwude D. I.
Author Affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Food Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Uyo, PMB 1017, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria.
Journal of Food Processing and Preservation 40 : 279-290
Abstract : A solar powered evaporative cooling storage system (SPECSS) was developed to improve the shelf life of fruits and vegetables for small-holder farmers in rural Nigeria where an electrical power distribution network is almost nonexistent. The capacity of the SPECSS chamber was 0.39 m3. A suction fan (24W) and a water pump (18W) were powered through solar panels (182W) with a battery (130Ah) used to store charge and maintain the system's operation. Tomatoes, mangoes, bananas and carrots were then stored in the chamber for 3-4 weeks. The SPECSS chamber temperature depression and relative humidity from ambient conditions varied from 7.8 to 15.4C and from 44 to 96.8%, respectively. The shelf lives of tomatoes, mangoes, bananas and carrots stored inside the SPECSS chamber were 21, 14, 17 and 28 days, respectively, as against 6, 5, 5 and 8 days for ambient storage.