ISHS Acta Horticulturae 674: III International Symposium on Applications of Modelling as an Innovative Technology in the Agri-Food Chain; MODEL-IT
CONSERVING FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IN ARID AREAS |
| Authors: | A. Benzaoui, M. Saighi, A. Bouabaallah |
| Keywords: | dates, potatoes, cooling, freezing, environmental protection, energy conversion |
| Abstract:
The success or failure of agricultural production in arid areas is to some extent dependent on the following factors: the quality of the soil, the environment and the available water. This report focuses on a region where numerous kinds of fruit trees and vegetables are cultivated successfully. The fruit production includes important crops such as dates, apricots, apples, pomegranates and figs. The vegetable production includes tomatoes, potatoes, tobacco, flowers, sunflowers, corn, melons, etc. Good irrigation water is readily available. The water temperature is relatively high. Any extracted geothermal energy can also be used in alternative applications. The region is very spacious and therefore the different villages are rather far from each other. Consequently, farmers are not close to their different markets and possible clients. The climatic conditions are rather difficult. For this reason, the entire production must be stored until its final moment of dispatch. In order to prepare the water for irrigation, a large amount of energy is extracted. The energy gained is used in the cooling process, used to firstly conserve the entire agricultural production, in addition to energy supplied to satisfy other needs. This paper presents a theoretical study of the process. Numerical and experimental results are compared with those mentioned in experiments described in the literature cited at the end of this report. The cooling process complies with international recommendations in respect to the protection of the atmosphere as refrigerants without CFC’s are being used. In view of general economical aspects and global optimization, it is recommended to consolidate this process. | |
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