The Development of Computer Controlled Environment in Potato Storage

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the development of computer-controlled environment in potato storage. The development of environmental control in potato storage has made a tremendous increase in the recent past. Manual controlled storages have made room for automatic control systems. The investment costs for electronic or computer-controlled environmental equipment have decreased. The use of this equipment is becoming an economical necessity in modern storage. Pile temperature is controlled by using cheap outside air if suitable for cooling and heating. The computer measures both outside air temperature and humidity to determine heat content of the air according the psychrometric diagram, and to compare it with the heat content of the ambient air in the pile. If outside conditions are suitable, the fan will be switched on. Most computers control temperature difference between pile and plenum. Managers can choose for fixed or variable differences between pile and plenum. If the store house is provided with a mechanical heating or cooling system, the computer decides to switch over from natural to mechanical heating or cooling.