Design and development of an energy-efficient cold storage and ripening system for bananas
|
Full Text |
Pdf
|
|
Author |
Sanjay Mitkari
|
|
e-ISSN |
1819-6608 |
|
On Pages
|
229-238
|
|
Volume No. |
21
|
|
Issue No. |
4
|
|
Issue Date |
April 20, 2026
|
|
DOI |
https://doi.org/10.59018/022633
|
|
Keywords |
banana cold storage, controlled atmosphere, cooling load.
|
Abstract
This paper presents the design of an efficient banana cold storage and ripening system to address critical postharvest challenges in India. The case study focuses on a cold storage room with a floor area of 50 m² and a height of 4 m, designed for ripening 9,000 kg of bananas over a 5-day cycle using 4-layer pallet stacking for optimal airflow. The refrigeration load was designed as 2 TR, with controlled atmosphere technology maintaining temperature (13-15°C), humidity (90-95%), oxygen (3-5%), and carbon dioxide (2-5%) to slow metabolic activity and extend shelf life up to 40 days. Ethylene ripening chambers precisely control ethylene concentrations at 100-150 ppm, ensuring uniform fruit maturation. Automated monitoring integrated with real-time sensors and IoT controls dynamically optimizes environmental parameters, minimizing spoilage and enhancing quality. Solar-powered refrigeration and advanced humidification systems improve energy efficiency, especially suited for rural deployment. The estimated electricity cost for the ripening cycle is approximately ₹1 per kg of banana. This integrative approach, combining biological, engineering, and automation principles, promotes sustainable postharvest management, reinforces supply chain reliability, and improves marketability of Indian bananas across major producing regions such as Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
Back