Data on the no-load performance analysis of a tomato postharvest storage system

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Engineering
• Food Science
• Thermodynamics

Background:

• Effective postharvest storage is crucial for maintaining tomato quality and reducing spoilage.
• Understanding heat transfer dynamics within storage systems is essential for optimizing environmental conditions.
• Previous research has not fully detailed empirical data on heat transfer in tomato storage, especially concerning humidity's role.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present original, detailed empirical data on heat transfer in a tomato postharvest storage system.
• To investigate the effect of humidity on temperature distribution within the storage system.
• To acquire data on external cooling component temperatures for performance analysis.

Main Methods:

• Conducted 96-hour no-load tests on a tomato postharvest storage system.
• Acquired heat distribution data at top, middle, and bottom locations every 30 minutes.
• Performed tests with and without introduced humidity to assess its impact on temperature.
• Recorded temperatures of external mechanical cooling components.

Main Results:

• Detailed empirical data on heat transfer within the tomato storage system was collected.
• Temperature distribution at various system locations (top, middle, bottom) was mapped over time.
• The influence of increased humidity levels on internal temperature distribution was quantified.
• Data on external cooling component temperatures were obtained, relevant for performance evaluation.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a comprehensive dataset on heat transfer in tomato postharvest storage.
• Humidity significantly impacts temperature distribution, a critical factor for effective storage.
• The acquired data can inform the design and performance analysis of similar storage systems.