Key

22668

Conference Year

2016

Keywords

cold store chamber, measurement, vegetables

Abstract

Growing of field vegetables in climate in Poland is closely linked to the climatic conditions. Spring and summer periods are the periods of planting and growth. Autumn is the time of ripening and harvesting, but consumption lasts almost all year around. Greenhouse crops, and imports from warm climates partially helps to solve this problem, but not solve it completely.  Cold storages help to solve problem autumn surplus associated with the appearance on the market of large quantity of fresh harvested vegetables and fruits. On the other hand they fulfil the needs of consumers in search of a good, fresh and healthy food until the next harvest. The proposed technical solutions not only meet the technological requirements, but there are also environmentally more friendly. In the paper the authors presented results of the experiments with storing Chinese cabbage in three storage-chambers at the Skierniewice Research Institute of Horticulture. Two of the chambers was equipped with new unique refrigeration systems. All of them achieved desired results. Technological and operational advantages of the proposed solutions can be applied to various vegetables and different storage-periods. Because of the innovative nature of these solutions, the authors suggest their further development. Also-the authors suggest further storage-technologies research. The results of measurements of inner-air parameters (velocity, temperature and relative humidity) in a cold storage chamber of Chinese cabbage for different operating modes of the cooler (100%, 80%, 60% and 40% of fan drive power) have been presented in the paper. Particular attention was paid to the defrosting effect of the air cooler on temperature within the cabbage load. Spots of the load, most exposed to the temperature changes, excessive drying and cold damages were indicated. Â

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