MODIFICATION AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A COLD ROOM STORAGE STRUCTURE


MODIFICATION AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A COLD ROOM STORAGE STRUCTURE   

ABSTRACT

The cold storage structure was modified and evaluated for the storage of fruits and vegetables at the department of agricultural and bio-environment engineering of Kwara State polytechnic, Ilorin; the cold storage structure consists of the following components; compressor, evaporator, condenser, accumulator, dryer, etc. the variable factors are temperature and relative humidity. The cold storage structure was tested with the following fruits; watermelon, cucumber, tomatoes and apple .these samples were stored under two conditions (ambient and cold storage) for period of three days which was monitored at four hours intervals with constant supply of electricity. Using a constant relative humidity of 85% throughout the experiment. The result revealed and average physiological weight loss of the samples on both ambient and cold storage, which are 7.8g, 3.3g, 21.3, 10.5 for ambient samples while3.5g, 0.8, 3.8, 2.6 for cold storage sample respectively.

The cold storage structureperforms satisfactorily when evaluated and it’s recommended for the storage of fruits under controlled conditions.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

Certification i

Dedication ii

Acknowledgement iii

Abstract v

Table of Content vi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study1                   

1.2 Problems Statement 2

1.3 Aims and objective of the project2

1.4 Justification of the Project 3

1.5 The Scope of the Project Work 3

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Development of Cold Room Structure for fruit and Vegetable4

2.2 Harvest Handling and Transport of fruit and Vegetable 5

2.2.1 Harvesting Principle of fruit and vegetable 5

2.2.2 Handling of fruit and Vegetable 5

2.2.3 Transport of Fruit and Vegetable 5

2.3 Storage Guidelines for Fruit and Vegetable 6

2.4 Heat Load Factor Normally Considered in Cold Storage Design 6

2.5 Expected Storage Life 7

2.6. Factors Affecting the Performance of Storage Structure 7

2.7. Principle of Refrigeration 10

2.7.1 Evaporation 11

2.7.2 Compressor 11

2.7.3 Condenser 12

2.8 Reviews on Existing Work on a Cold Storage Structure 12

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHOD 

3.1 Modified Area on the cold Storage. 14

3.2 Description of the Cold Room Storage System. 15

3.3 Designed Consideration 17

3.3.1 Cold Storage system 17

3.3.2 Capacity of the cold storage system 17

3.3.3 Power Requirement for cold storage system 17

3.3.4 Nature of Fruits and vegetables 18

3.4 Design Calculation and Analysis 18

3.4.1 Capacity of the Cooling Chamber    18

3.4.2 Heat transfer Analysis of the System 19

3.5 Materials Selection Consideration 20

3.5.1 Strength 20

3.5.2 Durability 20

3.5.3 Rigidity 20

3.5.4 Thermal Properties 21

3.5.5 Food safety 21

3.5.6 Availability of Materials 21

3.5.7 Gas Selection 21

3.6 Installation procedure and assemble 21

3.6.1 Application of the Installation 21

3.7 Working Principle of Cold Storage System 23

3.8 Cost Analysis 23

3.8 Performance Evaluation 25

3.8 K.1 Source of Material 25

3.8.2 Sample Preparation 26

3.8.3 Experimental Procedure 26

3.8.4 Output Parameters 26

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS

4.0 Results and Discussion 30

4.1 Performance Evaluation, Result and Discussion 30

4.2 Discussions 31

4.2.1 Discussion on average weight and temperature of sample both in cold storage and at 

mbient condition 31

4.2.2 Discussion on Physiological Weight Loss of Samples 32

4.2.3 Discussion on temperature against time interval in cold storage and

ambient condition 32

CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Conclusion 45

5.2 Recommendation 46

References 47

Appendix

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURES

Description

4.1 Effect of weight loss on daily time for okro

4.2 Effect of weight loss on daily time for pear

4.3 Effect of weight loss on daily time for water leaf

4.4 Effect of weight loss on daily time for bell pepper

4.5 Effect of temperature against time interval in the cold storage and under ambient condition

LIST OF TABLES

TABLES

Description

2.1 General problems of each fruits and vegetables group at each handling

3.1 Bill of engineering measurement and evaluation ( BEME)

4.1 Average weight and temperature of samples both in cold storage and ambient condition

4.2 Average value of physiological weight loss of samples

4.3 Data obtained from cold storage and ambient temperature against time 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

 Fruits and vegetables are of great nutritional value. They are important sources of vitamins and minerals thus, essential components of human diet. Consequent upon this, there had been increased trade or commerce activities surrounding these commodities. Vegetable production forms a substantial percentage about 25% of the major food crops cultivated in the tropics and so it is the source of livelihood for a considerable section of the population (Idah, 2007).

Fruits and vegetables in their fresh forms contain high percentage of water. They are living and hence carry out their physiological function of respiration thereby absorbing and releasing gases and other materials from and to their environment. These activities lead to their deterioration in transit and storage, which is more rapid under conditions of high temperature and humidity. As a result, heavy losses are encountered in these produce. Fruit and vegetable are generally classified as perishable crop if not quickly preserved when harvest they shrivel wither or rot away rapidly especially under hot condition. Highly perishable ones likes’ leafy vegetables, tomatoes asparagus etc. even in storage have a recommended refrigeration storage life of less than one week (Ndukwu, 2011).

Fruit and vegetable are fundamentally different from most other produce which is sold stored in the fresh (unfroze) state in that they are living they respires thus suitable ventilation must be provided. During cold storage they undergo characteristic change of senescence and of ripening of fruit (Cantwell, 2001).

Storage has been developed to ensure the supply of an agriculture product to consumers with minimized quality degradation. Orderly marketing of perishable commodities often requires some storage to balance day- to- day fluctuation between product harvest and sales or for long term storage to extend market period. (Tripath and Bhat 2000).

Cold room storage generally tends to depict the views and ideas of a system that embarks on a continual extraction of heat from its body whose temperature is already below its surrounding temperature. Thus, refrigeration inevitably is the only means of preserving food in its original freshness.  (Ugwuet al, 2012).

1.2 Problem Statement

Lack of storage facilities is one of the major challenges facing perishable produce in Nigeria and result in higher post-harvest losses. Temperature plays an important role in post-harvest handling of perishable produce since it affect most of the enzymatic reaction in harvesting produce cause an increase in the rate of deterioration  processing. Cooling of perishable product immediately after harvest and maintain the cold chain along the supply chain is key in slowing down the deteriorative process hence there is a need to develop a cold room that will reduce deterioration of fruits and vegetable and extend their shelf life.

1.3 Aim and Objective of the Project Work

The aim of the study is to enhance good storage facilities for fruits and vegetables under a cold room storage structure in order to prolong their shelf life and retain the quality of this perishable product for a specific period of time.

The specific objectives:

(i) To modify a cold room storage structure.

(ii) To install temperature and relative humidity controller and change some component parts of the cold storage.

(iii) To evaluate its performance on selected fruits and vegetables in terms of cooling rates, physiological weight loss, colour changes and firmness

1.4 Justification of the Project 

Modification of the existing cold storage structure will bring about the improvement for spacious storing of fruit and vegetables, and proper management of cold room storage with regards to temperature, relative humidity level, air circulation, adequate space between storage bin; prolong the shelf life of all agricultural product and convince the investors on the effective performance of a cold room as a place which can retain and preserve the nutritional quality and value of perishable product over a long period of time.

1.5 Scope of the Project

The scope of this project is limited to modification, installation and performance evaluation of the cold storage structure, using okra , pear, water leaf and bell pepper under two condition (ambient and cold storage).

.

MODIFICATION AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A COLD ROOM STORAGE STRUCTURE



TYPE IN YOUR TOPIC AND CLICK SEARCH.






RESEARCHWAP.NET

Researchwap.net is an online repository for free project topics and research materials, articles and custom writing of research works. We’re an online resource centre that provides a vast database for students to access numerous research project topics and materials. Researchwap.net guides and assist Postgraduate, Undergraduate and Final Year Students with well researched and quality project topics, topic ideas, research guides and project materials. We’re reliable and trustworthy, and we really understand what is called “time factor”, that is why we’ve simplified the process so that students can get their research projects ready on time. Our platform provides more educational services, such as hiring a writer, research analysis, and software for computer science research and we also seriously adhere to a timely delivery.

TESTIMONIES FROM OUR CLIENTS


Please feel free to carefully review some written and captured responses from our satisfied clients.

  • "Exceptionally outstanding. Highly recommend for all who wish to have effective and excellent project defence. Easily Accessable, Affordable, Effective and effective."

    Debby Henry George, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA.
  • "I saw this website on facebook page and I did not even bother since I was in a hurry to complete my project. But I am totally amazed that when I visited the website and saw the topic I was looking for and I decided to give a try and now I have received it within an hour after ordering the material. Am grateful guys!"

    Hilary Yusuf, United States International University Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.
  • "Researchwap.net is a website I recommend to all student and researchers within and outside the country. The web owners are doing great job and I appreciate them for that. Once again, thank you very much "researchwap.net" and God bless you and your business! ."

    Debby Henry George, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA.
  • "Great User Experience, Nice flows and Superb functionalities.The app is indeed a great tech innovation for greasing the wheels of final year, research and other pedagogical related project works. A trial would definitely convince you."

    Lamilare Valentine, Kwame Nkrumah University, Kumasi, Ghana.
  • "I love what you guys are doing, your material guided me well through my research. Thank you for helping me achieve academic success."

    Sampson, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
  • "researchwap.com is God-sent! I got good grades in my seminar and project with the help of your service, thank you soooooo much."

    Cynthia, Akwa Ibom State University .
  • "Sorry, it was in my spam folder all along, I should have looked it up properly first. Please keep up the good work, your team is quite commited. Am grateful...I will certainly refer my friends too."

    Elizabeth, Obafemi Awolowo University
  • "Am happy the defense went well, thanks to your articles. I may not be able to express how grateful I am for all your assistance, but on my honour, I owe you guys a good number of referrals. Thank you once again."

    Ali Olanrewaju, Lagos State University.
  • "My Dear Researchwap, initially I never believed one can actually do honest business transactions with Nigerians online until i stumbled into your website. You have broken a new legacy of record as far as am concerned. Keep up the good work!"

    Willie Ekereobong, University of Port Harcourt.
  • "WOW, SO IT'S TRUE??!! I can't believe I got this quality work for just 3k...I thought it was scam ooo. I wouldn't mind if it goes for over 5k, its worth it. Thank you!"

    Theressa, Igbinedion University.
  • "I did not see my project topic on your website so I decided to call your customer care number, the attention I got was epic! I got help from the beginning to the end of my project in just 3 days, they even taught me how to defend my project and I got a 'B' at the end. Thank you so much researchwap.com, infact, I owe my graduating well today to you guys...."

    Joseph, Abia state Polytechnic.
  • "My friend told me about ResearchWap website, I doubted her until I saw her receive her full project in less than 15 miniutes, I tried mine too and got it same, right now, am telling everyone in my school about researchwap.com, no one has to suffer any more writing their project. Thank you for making life easy for me and my fellow students... Keep up the good work"

    Christiana, Landmark University .
  • "I wish I knew you guys when I wrote my first degree project, it took so much time and effort then. Now, with just a click of a button, I got my complete project in less than 15 minutes. You guys are too amazing!."

    Musa, Federal University of Technology Minna
  • "I was scared at first when I saw your website but I decided to risk my last 3k and surprisingly I got my complete project in my email box instantly. This is so nice!!!."

    Ali Obafemi, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Niger State.
  • To contribute to our success story, send us a feedback or please kindly call 2348037664978.
    Then your comment and contact will be published here also with your consent.

    Thank you for choosing researchwap.com.