Refrigeration and

Cold storage

Awal sir
Hanif sir
 Topic
1 x

Psychrometry Hanif sir

• Introduction 1. Psychrometry: Psychrometry is the study of the
properties of moist air, including its temperature,
• Psychrometric humidity, and moisture content.
chart
2. Dry Air: Dry air refers to air that does not
contain any moisture or water vapor.
• Basic
psycrometric 3. Moist Air: Moist air is air that contains water
process vapor or moisture. It is a mixture of dry air and
• Sensible water vapor.
heating
• Sensible 4. Saturated Air: Saturated air is the condition
cooling where the air is holding the maximum amount of
• Humidificat- water vapor it can at a specific temperature and
pressure.
ion
• Dehumidifi-
x
5. Degree of Saturation: The degree of saturation
cation refers to the extent to which the air is saturated with
water vapor, expressed as a percentage of the
• Application of maximum amount it can hold at a given condition.
psychometric
chart in food 6. Humidity: Humidity is the amount of moisture or
industry water vapor present in the air. It affects our comfort
and the behaviour of materials.
7. Absolute Humidity: Absolute humidity is the actual amount of water vapor
present in the air, measured in grams per cubic meter or grains per cubic foot.

8. Dry Bulb Temperature: Dry bulb temperature is the regular air temperature
that we commonly measure with a thermometer, without considering the
effects of moisture.

9. Wet Bulb Temperature: Wet bulb temperature is the lowest temperature

that can be reached through the process of evaporative cooling. It is obtained
by wrapping a wet cloth around a thermometer bulb and measuring the
temperature as the moisture evaporates.

10. Dew Point: Dew point is the temperature at which air becomes saturated
and condensation occurs, resulting in the formation of dew, fog, or frost.

11. Humidity Ratio: Humidity ratio, also known as specific humidity or

moisture content, represents the mass of water vapor present per unit
mass of dry air.
Psychrometric chart
A psychrometric chart is a graphical representation of the properties of moist
air. It is widely used in the field of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air
Conditioning) engineering to analyze and design air conditioning systems.
The chart provides a visual representation of various air properties, such as
dry bulb temperature, relative humidity, dew point temperature, enthalpy, and
specific volume.
Reading psychrometric chart
Reading a psychrometric chart involves understanding the different lines,
curves, and data points represented on the chart. Here's a step-by-step guide
on how to read a psychrometric chart:
1. Familiarize yourself with the axes: The horizontal axis represents the dry
bulb temperature (measured in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit), while the
vertical axis represents the relative humidity (expressed as a percentage).
2. Locate a specific point on the chart: To read a specific point on the chart,
find the intersection of the dry bulb temperature and relative humidity
lines. This point represents a specific condition of the air.
3. Identify the properties: Once you've located a point on the chart, you can
determine various properties of the air at that condition. The most
common properties include:
• Dry Bulb Temperature: Read the value along the horizontal axis at the
point of intersection.
• Relative Humidity: Read the value along the vertical axis at the point of
intersection.
• Dew Point Temperature: Follow the horizontal line from the point of
intersection until it intersects with the curved line representing the dew
point temperature. Read the value along that line.
• Enthalpy: Enthalpy represents the total heat content of the air and is
typically indicated by diagonal lines on the chart. Follow the diagonal line
from the point of intersection until it intersects with the appropriate
enthalpy line. Read the value along that line.
• Specific Volume: Specific volume represents the volume of air per unit
mass and is typically indicated by horizontal lines on the chart. Follow the
horizontal line from the point of intersection until it intersects with the
appropriate specific volume line. Read the value along that line.
Basic psychrometric process
A basic psychrometric process refers to a series of changes or transformations
that occur to the properties of air on a psychrometric chart. These processes
can include heating, cooling, humidification, dehumidification, mixing of air
streams, and more. Here are explanations of some common basic
psychrometric processes:
• Heating Process: During a heating process, the temperature of the air
increases while the moisture content remains constant. On a psychrometric
chart, this process is represented by a vertical line from the initial
condition to the desired higher temperature. The specific volume and
enthalpy values increase along the vertical line, while the relative
humidity and dew point temperature remain constant.

• Cooling Process: In a cooling process, the temperature of the air decreases

while the moisture content remains constant. On a psychrometric chart,
this process is represented by a vertical line from the initial condition to
the desired lower temperature. The specific volume and enthalpy values
decrease along the vertical line, while the relative humidity and dew point
temperature remain constant.

• Humidification Process: During a humidification process, the moisture

content of the air increases while the temperature remains constant. On a
psychrometric chart, this process is represented by a horizontal line from
the initial condition to the desired higher humidity level. The specific
volume and enthalpy values increase along the horizontal line, while the
dry bulb temperature remains constant.

• Dehumidification Process: In a dehumidification process, the moisture

content of the air decreases while the temperature remains constant. On a
psychrometric chart, this process is represented by a horizontal line from
the initial condition to the desired lower humidity level. The specific
volume and enthalpy values decrease along the horizontal line, while the
dry bulb temperature remains constant.
Sensible heating/Cooling
1. Sensible Heating:
• Process: Sensible heating occurs when heat is added to the air without
any change in moisture content.
• Change in Psychrometric Parameters
• Dry-Bulb Temperature (T) increases.
• Increase in Wet-Bulb Temperature ().
• No change in Dew Point Temperature ().
• No change in Humidity Ratio (ω).
• Specific Volume (v) increases.
• Relative Humidity (RH) decreases.

2. Sensible Cooling:
• Process: Sensible cooling happens when heat is removed from the air
without any change in moisture content.
• Change in Psychrometric Parameters:
• Dry-Bulb Temperature (T) decreases.
• Decrease in Wet-Bulb Temperature (T_wb).
• No change in Dew Point Temperature (T_dp).
• No change in Humidity Ratio (ω).
• Specific Volume (v) decreases
• Relative Humidity (RH) increases.
• Bypass Factor of Heating and Cooling Coil
The bypass factor, also known as the bypass factor or the bypass factor
of a heating and cooling coil, is a term used in the context of heat
exchangers to describe the fraction of the total air or fluid flow that
bypasses the heat exchanger without exchanging heat.

The temperature of the air coming out of the apparatus (t 2) will be less
than (t3) in case the coil is a heating coil and more than (t 3) in case the
coil is a cooling coil.

• By-pass factor for heating coil,

• By-pass factor for cooling coil

Humidification/Dehumidification
1. Humidification
• Process: Humidification is a psychrometric process in which moisture
is added to the air while keeping the air at a constant temperature.
• Change in Psychrometric Parameters
• Dry-Bulb Temperature (T): Remains constant.
• Wet-Bulb Temperature () increases.
• Dew Point Temperature () increases
• Humidity Ratio (ω): Increases due to the addition of moisture.
• Specific Volume (v): Increases due to the increase in humidity
ratio.
• Relative Humidity (RH): Increases as the humidity ratio
approaches the saturation point at the constant temperature.
2. Dehumidification
• Process: Humidification is a psychrometric process in which moisture
is removed from the air while keeping the air at a constant
temperature.
• Change in Psychrometric Parameters
• Dry-Bulb Temperature (T): Remains constant.
• Wet-Bulb Temperature () decreases.
• Dew Point Temperature () decreases
• Humidity Ratio (ω): Decreases due to the removal of moisture.
• Specific Volume (v): Decreases due to the decrease in humidity
ratio.
• Relative Humidity (RH): decreases as the humidity ratio or
moisture content decreases.

Sensible Heat Factor

The Sensible Heat Factor (SHF), also known as the Sensible Heat Ratio
(SHR), is a term used in air conditioning and cooling systems to describe the
ratio of sensible heat load to the total heat load.
• In the context of air conditioning, the total heat load on the cooling system
comprises two components: sensible heat and latent heat.

• A Sensible Heat Factor of 1 indicates that the cooling load is entirely due to changes in
dry bulb temperature, and there is no moisture load to be removed. This is the case when
cooling dry air, such as in a standard air conditioning scenario.
• A Sensible Heat Factor of 0 (SHF = 0) indicates that the cooling load is entirely due to
removing moisture (latent heat) from the air, and there is no change in dry bulb
temperature. This is the case when dehumidifying the air without any temperature
change.
Method of obtaining humidification
1. Direct method: In this method, the water is sprayed in a highly
atomised state into the room to be air-conditioned. This method of
humidification is not very effective.
2. Indirect method: In this method the water is introduced into the air in
the air conditioning place with the help of an air washer

Method of obtaining humidification

1. Combined heating and humidification or cooling and dehumidification
• In this process, the dry bulb temperature and as well as specific
humidity of the air decreases. The dehumidification of air is only
possible when the effective surface temperature of the cooling coil is
less than the dew point temperature of the air entering the coil. The
effective surface temperature of the coil is known as apparatus dew
point (briefly written as ADP). The cooling and dehumidification
process is shown

• Under ideal conditions, the dry bulb temperature of the air leaving the
cooling coil (t4) should be equal to the surface temperature of the
cooling coil (ADP), but it is never possible due to inefficiency of the
cooling coil. Therefore, the resulting condition of air coming out of
the coil is shown by a point 2 on the straight line joining the points 1
and 4. The by-pass factor in this case is given by
• Atmospheric air at 760mm Hg pressure and dry bulb temperature and wet
bulb temperature 15°C and 11°C respectively enters the heating coil whose
temperature is 41°C. The by-pass factor of the heating coil is 0.5.
Determine the dry bulb temperature, wet bulb temperature, relative
humidity of the air leaving the heating coils, and the sensible heat added to
air per kg of dry air. Use psychrometric chart.
I. Determine the final Dry-Bulb Temperature

II. Determine the final wet-Bulb Temperature

• Air at dry bulb temp of 30℃ and 60% RH enters in a cooling coil at a rate
of 250 m3/min.
1. Determine the refrigeration needed to bring the temperature of 23 ℃
and also the relative humidity of that condition.

I. We have to determine the DPT to know the process is only sensible

cooling or cooling and dehumidification.
• We calculate the DPT from 100% saturation curve

The process is sensible cooling

II. Determine the respective enthalpy at both temperature

III. We need mass flow rate in SI unit to calculate power requirment

We will get specific volume from the psychrometric chart. We have
to consider specific volume before entering cooling coil

IV. Power requirment

• A classroom seating capacity 60 students of FE.
• Outdoor condtion: 32℃ DBT and 22℃ WBT
• Requirment comfort: 22℃ DBT and 55% RH
• The quality of outdoor air supplied 0.5 m 3/min/students
• The comfort condition is first achived by dehumidification of the air
and then cooling.
1. Find DBT of the air leaving the dehumidifier
2. Capacity of cooling coil in ton
3. Capacity of dehumidifier

I. First we have to locate all the point in the psychrometric chart.

For outdoor condition (1)

For required condition (2)

For determining the DBT after humidification we will extend the

enthalpy line. It intersect the 2nd condition line at some point. That
point is the DBT after leaving the humidifier.

II. For determining the cooling capacity of of the cooling coil we will
use enthalpy, specific volume (1) and mass flow rate
 III. Capacity of dehumidifier

• A cinema hall seating capacity is 1500 students.

• Outdoor condition: 40℃ DBT 20℃ WBT
• Required comfort: 20℃ DBT 60% RH
• The quality of outdoor air supplied 0.3 m 3/min/students
• The comfort condition is first achived by adiabatic humidification of
the air and then cooling.
1. Find Capacity of cooling coil and surface temperature of
cooling coil(ADP) if by pass factor is 0.25
2. Capacity of humidifier

1. First we have to locate all the point in the psychrometric chart.

For outdoor condition (1)

For required condition (2)

 2. Capacity of humidifier

• A cinema hall seating capacity is 50 students

• Outdoor condition 30℃ DBT and 75% RH
• Required comfort 20℃ DBT and 60% RH
Comfort condition is achived by cooling dehumidifying then heating.
The quality of outdoor air supplied 0.4 m3/min/students
1. Capacity of cooling coil
2. Capacity of heating coil in kW/h
3. Amount of water removed by dehumidifyer
4. Heating coil surface temp 25℃, find BF of heating

1. First we have to locate all the point in the psychrometric chart.

2. Capacity of heating coil

3. Amount of water removed by dehumidifyer

4. Heating coil surface temp 25℃, find BF of heating

An air-conditioned plant is to be designed for a small

office room for winter conditions.
Out-door conditions = 10°C DBT and 8°C WBT. Required indoor-
conditions = 20°C DBT and
60% R.H.
Amount of free air circulation = 0.3 m3⁄4/min
person.
The required condition is achieved first by heating and then by
adiabatic humidifying. Find the following
Heating capacity of the coil in KW and the surface temperature required
fi the bypass factor of the coil is 0.32.
(b) The capacity of the humidifier
1. What is a psychrometric chart?
• Think of a psychrometric chart as a map that helps us understand and
navigate the properties of air. Just like a map helps us find our way
around a city, a psychrometric chart helps engineers understand the
characteristics of moist air in the field of HVAC (Heating,
Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) engineering.
2. Dry Bulb Temperature and Relative Humidity:
• Dry bulb temperature is like the regular temperature you read on a
thermometer. It tells you how hot or cold the air feels.
• Relative humidity is like the amount of moisture or humidity present
in the air. It tells you how "saturated" or "damp" the air feels.
3. Dew Point Temperature:
• Dew point temperature is the temperature at which the air becomes
saturated with moisture. Think of it as the point when the air is so
cool that it starts to condense and form dew on surfaces, like when
you see dew on the grass in the morning.
4. Enthalpy:
• Enthalpy is like the total heat content of the air. It takes into account
both the temperature and the amount of moisture in the air. It helps
engineers understand how much heat energy is present in the air.
5. Specific Volume:
• Specific volume refers to the volume of air per unit mass. It helps
engineers understand how much space the air occupies for a given
amount of air mass.
6. Reading a point on the chart:
• When you look at a point on the chart where two lines intersect, it
represents a specific condition of the air.
• For example, you can find out the temperature, humidity, dew point,
enthalpy, and specific volume at that particular point.
7. Air Processes:
• Just like how you can trace a route on a map, you can trace lines on
the psychrometric chart to represent different air processes.
• For example, if you cool down the air, you can trace a vertical line to
see how the temperature changes while the humidity remains
constant.
 Topic
Refrigeration and Air 2
conditioning Awal sir
• Introduction Introduction
• Refrigerator’s Refrigeration and air conditioning are two
component and closely related technologies that play crucial
function roles in our daily lives. They both involve the
• Vapour compression transfer of heat to create a cooling effect, but
cycle they serve different purposes and have distinct
applications.
• Refrigeration: Refrigeration is the
process of cooling an enclosed space
or substance below the ambient
temperature, typically to preserve or
extend the shelf life of perishable
items or maintain specific conditions
for various processes. The primary
purpose of refrigeration is to remove
heat from an area or object, thereby
lowering its temperature.
Refrigerator’s component and function
Certainly! Here are the key components of a
refrigerator and their functions:
1. Compressor:
• Function: The compressor is the heart of
the refrigeration system. It is responsible
for compressing the low-pressure, low-
temperature refrigerant gas into a high-
pressure, high-temperature gas.
• Importance: The compressed refrigerant
has a higher energy state, which allows
it to release heat more effectively when
it reaches the condenser.
2. Condenser:
• Function: The condenser is a heat exchanger located at the back or
bottom of the refrigerator. It dissipates heat by transferring it from the
high-pressure refrigerant gas to the surrounding environment.
• Importance: Cooling the refrigerant causes it to condense into a high-
pressure liquid.

3. Expansion Valve (or Expansion Device):

• Function: The expansion valve is a small throttling device located
between the condenser and the evaporator. It reduces the pressure and
temperature of the high-pressure liquid refrigerant.

4. Importance: The sudden reduction in pressure causes the refrigerant to

expand and evaporate, leading to a drop in temperature. Evaporator:
• Function: The evaporator is another heat exchanger, usually located
inside the refrigerator. It absorbs heat from the refrigerated space and
allows the liquid refrigerant to evaporate and transform back into a
gas.
• Importance: As the refrigerant evaporates, it draws heat from the
surrounding area, cooling the interior of the refrigerator.

5. Refrigerant:
• Function: The refrigerant is the working fluid in the refrigeration system.
It undergoes phase changes (from gas to liquid and vice versa) to transfer
heat effectively.
• Importance: The refrigerant's properties enable it to absorb heat from the
refrigerator's interior (during evaporation) and release heat to the
surrounding environment (during condensation).

6. Thermostat:
• Function: The thermostat is a temperature-sensitive device that regulates
the refrigerator's temperature. It monitors the internal temperature and
controls the compressor and cooling cycle accordingly.
• Importance: The thermostat helps maintain the desired temperature inside
the refrigerator, preventing it from becoming too warm or too cold.
Vapor compression refrigeration
Vapor compression refrigeration is the most common type of refrigeration
system used in various applications, including household refrigerators, air
conditioners, and industrial cooling processes. It follows the basic
refrigeration cycle, including four main processes: compression,
condensation, expansion, and evaporation.
1. Compression:
• The compressor is the first component in the cycle.
• It takes low-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant vapor from the
evaporator and compresses it into a high-pressure, high-temperature
vapor.
• The compression process requires mechanical work to raise the
refrigerant's pressure and temperature.
2. Condensation:
• The high-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant vapor from the
compressor enters the condenser.
• In the condenser, the refrigerant releases heat to the surrounding
environment, typically through coils and fins.
• The refrigerant condenses into a high-pressure liquid during this
process.
3. Expansion:
• After leaving the condenser, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant
flows through an expansion valve (or throttle valve).
• The expansion valve causes a sudden drop in pressure, which leads
to adiabatic expansion of the refrigerant.
• The refrigerant now exists as a low-pressure, low-temperature liquid-
vapor mixture.
4. Evaporation:
• The low-pressure, low-temperature liquid-vapor mixture enters the
evaporator, which is located inside the area to be cooled (e.g., the
refrigerator or air conditioner).
• In the evaporator, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the surroundings,
causing it to evaporate and turn into low-pressure vapor.
• The refrigerant then returns to the compressor, and the cycle
continues.
• A liquid refrigerant evaporating at constant T and P absorbs heat (line 1
→ 2), producing the refrigeration effect.
• The vapor produced is compressed via dashed line 2 → 3′ for isentropic
compression, and via line 2 → 3, sloping in the direction of increasing
entropy, for an actual compression process, reflecting inherent
irreversibility's.
• At this higher T and P, it is cooled and condensed (line 3 → 4) with
rejection of heat to the surroundings.
• Liquid from the condenser expands (line 4 → 1) to its original pressure.
On the basis of a unit mass of fluid, the equations for the heat absorbed in
the evaporator and the heat rejected in the condenser are

Coefficient of performance

The rate of circulation of refrigerant m∙

Capacity of the refregerent

Formula for math

1. Compressor: Assuming steady state and the compression to be isentropic,

the first law of thermodynamics yields

2. Condenser: Assuming steady state, and no work done during heat

rejection, the first law of thermodynamics for the condenser yields

3. Evaporator: assuming steady state, and no work done during heat

absorption, the first law of thermodynamics for the evaporator yields

4. Expansion valve: The expansion through a throttling device is an

irreversible process in which the pressure decreases while no work output
is obtained.

5. Refrigeration effect

6. COP

7. Isentropic efficiency of the compressor

Refrigerant
Refrigerant is a substance used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat
pump systems to facilitate the transfer of heat from one area to another.
1. Primary Refrigerant:
• A primary refrigerant is the substance directly responsible for
absorbing heat from one area (evaporator) and releasing it in another
(condenser) within a refrigeration or cooling system.
• Primary refrigerants undergo phase changes (from liquid to gas and
vice versa) as they circulate through the system to facilitate heat
transfer.
• Common primary refrigerants include hydrochlorofluorocarbons
(HCFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and hydrocarbons like
ammonia (NH3) and carbon dioxide (CO2).
2. Secondary Refrigerant:
• A secondary refrigerant is a substance that does not undergo phase
changes within the refrigeration system but acts as an intermediary to
transfer heat between the primary refrigerant and the cooling load.
• Secondary refrigerants are often used in situations where the primary
refrigerant may not be suitable due to safety concerns, temperature
requirements, or efficiency.
• Common secondary refrigerants include water, glycol-water mixtures,
and brine solutions.
Properties of ideal refrigerant
• Low Boiling Point: Easily turns from liquid to gas for efficient heat
absorption.
• High Heat Capacity: Efficiently carries and releases heat.
• Non-Flammable: Safe, no risk of fire or explosion.
• Non-Toxic: Harmless to humans.
• Chemically Stable: Doesn't corrode or react with system materials.
• High Thermal Conductivity: Speeds up heat transfer.
• Suitable Pressure-Temperature Relationship: Predictable pressure
changes with temperature.
• Low Cost: Affordable and accessible.
• Environmental Friendliness: Low Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)
and Global Warming Potential (GWP).
• Easy Handling: Simple to store, transport, and work with.
1. A refrigerent cycle is working between the pressure limit of the 10 bar and
2 bar. Assuming the vapour leaves the evaporator in dry and saturated
condition. Find the COP of the system, power requirment and mass of
refregerent.

The first step is to determine the specific enthalpies ( and ) of the refrigerant at
the low and high pressures, respectively. We can use refrigerant property tables
or software to find these values based on the specific refrigerant used.
2. A refrigerent cycle is working between the temperature limit of 40 ℃ and
-10℃. The load of the system is 5 tonnes. Determine
• COP
• Power requirment
• If the evaporator temperature is -20℃ then what will be the COP.

I. Determine the enthalpy from the graph

II. Power requirment

Power requirment = 𝑚×
˙ ( Cooling effects )= 0.16 ×

III. If the evaporator temperature is -20℃

 Topic
Cold storage 2
Awal sir
• Introduction Introduction
• Benefits of Cold Storage
• Cold Storage Practices
The fundamental concept of cold storage
• Temperature control revolves around creating controlled
• Relative humidly environments with specific temperature and
control humidity conditions to preserve the quality,
• Condensation of water
vapour freshness, and safety of perishable food
• Sanitation products and other sensitive items.
• Air movement
• Stacking and material
handling
1. Temperature Control: Cold storage
facilities are designed to maintain precise
temperature ranges(+20 ℃ to -115 ℃)
suitable for the products being stored.
This controlled temperature prevents the
growth of microorganisms, enzymes, and
other factors that lead to spoilage,
allowing products to remain safe for
consumption for extended periods.
Different products may require different
temperature settings within the cold
storage unit.
2. Humidity Control: Cold storages also
regulate relative humidity levels to
prevent moisture loss or excess moisture,
which can impact the texture, flavour, and
overall quality of stored items.
Maintaining proper humidity levels is
particularly crucial for items like fruits
and vegetables.
Benefits of Cold Storage:
• Seasonal Storage: Cold storage allows storing food products when they are
abundant and affordable, making them available for use during periods of
low supply.
• Facilitates Transportation: Cold storage enables the transportation of food
items from one location to another without spoilage, expanding market
reach and availability.
• Reduces Food Spoilage: By maintaining controlled temperatures, cold
storage significantly reduces food spoilage, leading to substantial cost
savings.

Cold Storage Practices:

In a cold storage facility, several essential practices should be adopted to
ensure the optimal storage conditions for perishable goods. These practices
include:
• Temperature control
• Relative humidly control
• Condensation of water vapour
• Sanitation
• Air movement
• Stacking and material handling
Temperature control
Maintaining precise temperature control in cold storage is particularly crucial
when storing harvested fruits and various other perishable items.
1. Respiration and Enzymatic Processes: Temperature significantly
influences the respiration rate of fruits and other perishables. Respiration
involves enzymatic processes that dictate the metabolic activity of the
produce. The rate of chemical change in fruits typically doubles for every
increase of 10°C in temperature. This means that even small temperature
variations can impact the freshness and shelf life of stored items.
2. Effects of Temperature Changes: Fluctuations in temperature during
storage can lead to several undesirable outcomes as fruits begin to
overripe. These effects may include extreme colour changes, flavour
alterations, softening of the fruit, and susceptibility to diseases.
3. Chilling Injuries: Extremely cold temperatures can cause chilling injuries
in fruits and vegetables. Chilling injuries manifest as issues such as
discoloration, improper ripening, and changes in texture. These injuries
can render the produce unsuitable for consumption or commercial use.
4. Optimum Storage Temperature: Each type of fruit or perishable product
has an ideal storage temperature at which it must be stored to maintain its
quality and freshness. Deviating from this optimal temperature can result
in the deterioration of the product.
Relative Humidity Control
Controlling humidity is crucial for both short-term and long-term storage of
agricultural products.
• Maintaining the right relative humidity prevents product decay
caused by microorganisms.
• Dry air can lead to weight loss and affect the appearance of stored
products.
• Excessively damp air with high humidity promotes the growth of
microorganisms and fungal diseases.
• The relative humidity should be adjusted to avoid excessive moisture
loss from the product.
• Recommended relative humidity levels vary by product type:
• Fruits: 85-90%
• Green vegetables: 90-95%
• Other vegetables: about 85-90%
• Humidity levels above or below these recommended ranges can lead
to product decay or weight loss.
Condensation of Water Vapor
• Condensation of water vapor on stored products is a significant
concern, especially in conditions of high relative humidity and
significant temperature differences between the air and the products.
• High humidity and temperature differentials can lead to the formation
of moisture on the product surfaces. Condensation can promote the
growth of microorganisms on food products, potentially causing
spoilage or contamination.
• To prevent issues related to condensation, it is essential to take
necessary measures to minimize it.
Sanitation
• Some foods, like fish and citrus fruits, emit odours that can be
absorbed by other products, like meat and milk items.
• Different food items should be stored separately to prevent flavour
transfer.
• If stored consecutively, thorough cleaning and deodorizing of the
storage space are necessary.
• Prevent the transmission of undesirable odours from insulation
materials and wood preservatives to food products.
• Implement measures to prevent the entry of rodents, ensuring food
safety and hygiene.
Air Movement
• Effective air circulation is essential in cold storage facilities to ensure
uniform temperatures and humidity levels around stored products.
• Proper air distribution systems are necessary to maintain consistent
temperatures throughout the storage area.
• Ventilation should be minimized to prevent the introduction of warm
air, which can disrupt the optimal storage conditions for perishable
items.
Stacking and Material Handling
• Stacking is a crucial factor in both storage and transportation of
goods, influenced by the packaging used, such as cartons, trays,
wooden crates, or net bags.
• In cold storage, the stacking density for fruits and vegetables in boxes
typically ranges from 20-30 kg/m².
• Proper and stable stacking is essential to prevent damage during
handling, storage, and transportation.
• Stacking arrangements should allow for adequate air circulation
around the products, facilitating proper cooling.
• Selecting appropriate boxes and considering the direction of airflow
from the cooling unit are important factors in optimizing storage and
preserving product quality.
Cold Storage Precautions
1. Temperature Fluctuations: Avoid fluctuations in storage temperatures, as
they can negatively impact product quality. Maintain consistent
temperature control.
2. Exceeding Recommended Storage Time: Do not store products beyond
their recommended storage duration to prevent spoilage and maintain
freshness.
3. Proper Handling: Handle food products with care to avoid damage or
contamination during storage.
4. Stacking Practices: Ensure proper and stable stacking to prevent product
damage and facilitate efficient air circulation.
5. Prevent Physical Damage: Take measures to prevent physical damage to
stored items, which can affect their quality and shelf life.
6. Avoid Contamination: Implement strict hygiene practices to prevent
contamination from external sources and maintain food safety standards.
Types of Cold Storage
• Classification based on activities
• Classification based on operating temperatures
• Classification based on the use of cold store
• Classification based no the time period
• Classification based on the construction