ศูนย์นวัตกรรมเทคโนโลยีหลังการเก็บเกี่ยว

Optimization of openings in plastic containers for hydrocooling of fruits and vegetables.

Hui, C. K. P.; Vigneault, C.; Goyette, B.;

ASAE/CSAE-SCGR Annual International Meeting, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 18-21 July, 1999. Year: 1999 Pages: 13 pp. Ref: 4 ref.

1999

บทคัดย่อ

Interest in plastic containers has recently become more prevalent for storage and shipment of fruits and vegetables. A family of standard size, re-usable and recyclable plastic containers has been developed to handle produce better and facilitate postharvest operations. The size and the amount of openings in the bottom and walls of the container are important considerations. Without excessively weakening the support to the produce and the structural strength of the container, enough openings are required to achieve proper precooling. This study was conducted to determine the amount of bottom openings required to optimize the hydrocooling of fruits and vegetables. Results indicate that in order to provide an even distribution of water during hydrocooling, the total bottom openings should count for 5% of the total bottom surface for containers having sidewall openings located at a height of 10 mm or more, measured from the bottom of the container. Furthermore, this percentage could be reduced to 3

.5% for containers having sidewall openings located over 20 mm from the container bottom.