Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2025

Design and Optimization Strategies of a High-Performance Vented Box
Published on: June 9, 2023
Air speed and plastic crate vent-holes for wine grape quality during postharvest dehydration: commercial and
Gregorio Santini1, Alessandro Bianchi1, Stefano Pettinelli1
1Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (DAFE), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Background:
Airflow is an important issue to favor postharvest dehydration keeping wine grape quality. The aim of this experimental work was to analyze the grape quality during postharvest dehydration: (i) in a commercial facility ('fruttaia') by monitoring the efficiency of the ventilation system and (ii) at laboratory level, studying the influence of crate type and airflow direction.
Results:
In the fruttaia, the airflow was provided by an air duct hanging from the ceiling, and by floor fans. A great gap in air speed from 0 up to 3.7 m s-1 was measured in different sectors of the fruttaia, leading to a different weight loss and grape quality in crates, depending on crate stack height and sector. At the laboratory level, two tunnels, with exhaust or supply fans, were used and four crate types with different percentages of vent-holes were adopted. A decrease of about 5% delayed the weight loss rate depending on the type of crate, and the exhaust fan guaranteed a faster dehydration.
Conclusion:
The results clarified the inefficiency of the commercial ventilation system in ensuring homogeneous grape weight loss in all crates. In addition, the exhaust fan guaranteed a more uniform air distribution around crates, and a slightly higher air speed. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
More Related Videos
07:07Controlled-release of Chlorine Dioxide in a Perforated Packaging System to Extend the Storage Life and Improve the Safety of Grape Tomatoes
Published on: April 7, 2017
07:34Author Spotlight: Exploring the Fermentation Microbiome Through Next-Generation Sequencing
Published on: December 1, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata
Drying Shrinkage
A portion of this drying shrinkage can be reversed; if the concrete is...
Moisture Content and Bulking of Aggregate
When aggregates are exposed to rain or sit in stockpiles, they absorb moisture, which must be...
Carbonation Shrinkage
The concrete's permeability is slightly reduced as calcium carbonate produced during the reaction fills its pores. Furthermore, its strength is slightly enhanced as the water released during the reaction...
Specific Gravity of Aggregate
Bulk or gross specific gravity is calculated by taking the ratio of the mass of aggregates in the saturated surface-dry state to the total volume that includes both the solids and the voids within the...
Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...