Perishable Food Storage

• Principle: The zero energy cool chamber works on the principle of direct evaporative cooling by maintaining the temperature and relative humidity during summer and winter naturally with the application of water. It does not use any electricity and helps in enhancing the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables by keeping them cooler.
• Operation:
– The structure is made wet by sprinkling water twice daily (morning and evening) to keep it cool.
– A drip system with plastic pipes and microtubes connected to an overhead water source can be used to keep it moist.
– The horticultural produce is kept in perforated plastic crates which are covered by a thin polyethylene sheet.
– A maximum and minimum thermometer and hygrometer are used in the chamber for recording temperature and relative humidity.