A Study on different materials used as insulation in solar passive cool chamber for loading of vegetables.

Abstract

In order to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, they need to be properly stored. Proper storage means controlling both the temperature and relative humidity of the storage area.While refrigerated cool-stores are the best method of preserving fruits and vegetables, they are expensive to buy and run. Consequently, in developing countries there is an interest in simple low-cost alternatives, many of which depends on evaporative cooling, which is simple and does not require any external power supply. Evaporative cooling occurs when air, that is not too humid, passes over a wet surface; the faster the rate of evaporation the greater the cooling. The efficiency of an evaporative cooling structure depends on the humidity of the surrounding air. Therefore, this paper reviews the concept, principles and methods of evaporative cooling for the preservation of fruits and vegetables and effect of different insulation materials tested for this purpose. Most economical and efficient material was then further used as insulation material in solar passive cool chamber.
Keywords: Evaporative cooling;shelf life;insulation materials;efficient; economic