A modified jacketed cold storage design

The development of an energy efficient and economical modified jacketed vegetable storage concept and design is presented. Most fruits and vegetables require a storage environment near 0°C and 100%rh, which is difficult to achieve with conventional refrigeration systems. In a jacketed storage system, refrigerated air is circulated through air spaces surrounding the storage. High relative humidity levels can be achieved through the use of the large heat transfer surface of walls, ceiling and floor maintained at uniform temperature, and by preventing transmission heat gains into the storage space. While the jacket concept was initially introduced as a full jacket (covering walls, ceiling and floor), this paper discusses an alternative jacketed design which uses only the ceiling as a heat transfer surface. Based on construction simplicity, it is felt that this jacket design can be applied to conversion of conventional storage facilities and to new storage facilities. Acceptable relative humidity levels are attainable by the jacketed ceiling design with an extended heat transfer surface. It is expected that this concept will find favourable applications for storing fruits and vegetables wherever high humidity, medium temperature cold rooms are required.