ISHS


Acta
Horticulturae
Home


Login
Logout
Status


Help

ISHS Home

ISHS Contact

Consultation
statistics
index


Search
 
ISHS Acta Horticulturae 38: Symposium on Vegetable Storage

COMPUTER SIMULATION OF TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEMS IN POTATO STORES

Author:   B. Rice
Abstract:
The optimum storage environment for potatoes destined for various forms of consumption has been fairly clearly defined. For the purposes of this study it is assumed that a temperature of 4°C and a relative humidity over 90 % is required.

The storage of a relatively low value crop such as potatoes is economic only if it is carried out at minimum cost. The simplest method of controlling temperature is by means of controlled ventilation with ambient air. The effectiveness of this system depends on many factors e.g. air-flow rate, building insulation, ambient climate and ventilation controls. The large number of variables involved, together with the geographical and temporal variability of the climate, makes physical experiment unrewarding. The object of this work is to establish a computer simulation technique that will quickly evaluate temperature control systems once the design features of the store and the ambient climate are known. Specifically this involves

  1. the construction of a mathematical model of the heat and mass transfer processes occurring within a potato store under free and forced ventilation.
  2. the use of this model to compare various methods of controlling the store temperature.

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files)

38_9     38     38_11

URL www.actahort.org      Hosted by K.U.Leuven      © ISHS