Refrigeration Research Articles

Energy-saving method and performance analysis of chiller plants group control based on Kernel Ridge Regression and Genetic Algorithm

The upgrading of traditional chiller plants to the high-efficiency refrigerator room is conducive to effective utilization and conservation of energy. An energy-saving method of chiller plants group control based on Kernel Ridge Regression and Genetic Algorithm are presented. Combined with machine learning and the classic model of the chiller plants, the multiple nonlinear problems between the system parameters of the chiller plants are solved. A more detailed group control model of chiller plants is established, which is suitable for multiple chillers, variable-speed pumps, and variable-frequency fans. Incorporate the start-up time of the chiller, the difference between the actual cooling capacity and the target cooling capacity into the penalty function, and use the Genetic Algorithm for multi-dimensional optimization to find the best efficiency point of the entire refrigeration room and achieve the goal of energy saving. A comparative analysis of the actual operation of the cold room system of a large electronics factory in Guangdong for three months is carried out. Compared with the traditional PID algorithm, the three-month power saving rate of this group control energy saving method is: 31.34%, 14.33%, 19.22%.

Postharvest Ozone Fumigation of Grapes (cv Sangiovese) Differently Affects Volatile Organic Compounds and Polyphenol Profiles of Berries and Wine

Consumers are more and more oriented towards the purchase of safer food and beverages, which is pushing the wine sector to find alternatives to the use of sulfur dioxide. Ozone (O3) is already applied in the wine industry to produce sulfur dioxide-free wines through the patented method Purovino®. The aim of this two-year study was that of evaluating whether the postharvest treatment of grapes with ozone affects volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polyphenol profile in berries, and in turn, wine composition. Grape bunches (Vitis vinifera L.) of cv Sangiovese were fumigated overnight with gaseous ozone (max 20 g·h−1 with 6% w.w−1 of ozone) in a cold room at 4°C (±0.5). After treatment, grapes were processed into wine. In grapes, ozone treatments increased total polyphenol and flavonoid content and upregulated specific genes (phenylalanine ammonia lyase, VvPAL, flavanol synthase 1, and VvFLS1) involved in polyphenol biosynthesis. Wine obtained from ozone-treated grapes had higher flavanol content than the control. Fumigation only slightly affected the different VOC classes of grapes and wine, including aroma compounds derived from the lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway. Although a season-dependent effect was observed, results showed that postharvest ozone treatments applied to avoid the use of sulfur dioxide introduced limited but, in general, positive modifications to grape and wine composition. This information provides assurance to winemakers that the maintenance of wine quality and typicity will be guaranteed when using ozone treatments.

Performance analysis and exergy assessment of an inertance pulse tube cryocooler

The world is facing the problems of the energy crisis. Thermal analysis and energy conservation of the engineering devices help to improve their performance. This paper conducted an experimental investigation for the performance analysis and exergy assessment of an Inertance Pulse Tube Cryocooler (IPTC) that uses working fluid -helium operated between 80 K cold end side temperature and room temperature.The variation of the different performance parameters like the effect of charge pressure, pulse tube volume, pulse tube length, etc., and its effect on the refrigerating effect isdescribed graphically. Exergy analysis involves the use and concepts of energy andexergy balances, enthalpy, entropy, and exergy calculations at various stages in thesystem. Exergy analysis identifies the zones of key exergy destruction that occurs insidethe system, which afterward can be subjected to its minimization to amend the systemperformance. The actual exergy efficiency value calculated for the overall system is 21.30 %. The decreasing order of exergy efficiency among the different components is acompressor (38.79 %), a hot end heat exchanger (6.19 %), regenerator, pulse tube andinertance tube (6 %), and cold end heat exchanger (2.70 %).

Effect of fruits storage conditions on the yield and the quality of Pistacia lentiscus oil

<p>This study aims to determine the effect of fruit storage conditions on the yield and quality of <em>Pistacia lentiscus</em> oil. Fruits were harvested in North Tunisia, and oil was extracted using the pressing method. Three storage conditions were tested; fruit is frozen at -20°C, fruit storage in a cold room at 4°C, and air-dried fruits at 25°C. Oil yield, free fatty acids, peroxide value, and total polyphenolic content were determined after 30, 60, and 90 days of storage. During the first 30 days, the highest yield was reached by fruits stored in a cold room (15%). Oil acidity from freshly harvested lentisk fruits was around 6% and then increased during storage. With increasing storage time, the oil peroxide value and the total polyphenolic content decreased in the fruits from all treatments. The peroxide value reached the respective values of 8, 5, and 23 meq O<sub>2</sub>/kg oil for Frozen, Cold Room, and Air Drying treatments. The total polyphenolic content varied from 0.5 EGA/g oil for air drying and frozen treatments to 0.8 EGA/g oil for the cold room. This study allowed the determination of the optimal conditions of storage of <em>Pistacia lentiscus</em> oil. These results are important to preserve the oil's quality and chemical and medicinal properties.</p>

Design and Development of Performance Rating Apparatus for Cold Room Refrigeration Unit Using Cooling-Load Balance Method

Refrigeration systems are composed of many components working together, and their refrigerating capacity depends upon these components constituting the refrigeration system. The design of the refrigeration system does not only consider cooling loads from products but also the operating conditions that change from time to time, especially the ambient temperatures due to global warming and climate change. Therefore, this work aims to develop the apparatus for performance rating of the cold room’s refrigeration unit according to the ASHRAE standard test methods as well as the Eurovent certification programs. The principle of enthalpy change is used to determine the system performance, in general. In this work, the cooling-load balanced method is proposed, which shows a good refrigeration capacity estimation by balancing the cooling load with refrigeration capacity. In addition, the use of an ultrasonic flow meter for refrigerant flow rate measurement is also discussed for additional validation in future works.

РОСТ ТЕЛОК ЧЕРНО-ПЕСТРОЙ ПОРОДЫ В ЗАВИСИМОСТИ ОТ СПОСОБА ВЫРАЩИВАНИЯ

Studies have been conducted, the direction to study the growth of calves of a black-and-white breed, depending on the methods of cultivation. For the first time, individual cages were used on the farm to raise calves in a cold room. The calves were kept in individual cages from birth until the age of 3 months, then the calves were transferred to group maintenance. Raising calves in individual cages helps to increase the safety and growth of young animals. Allows to avoid to some extent contacts with conditionally pathogenic microflora, helps to increase the body's resistance to the effects of adverse environmental factors, reduce morbidity by 10%, increase the average daily gain by 22%, live weight by 6.1% in comparison with animals contained in the group method. With age, the difference in the indicators of the live weight of heifers became more and more distinct. Heifers of the individual method of cultivation at the age of 2 months outnumbered heifers of the group method of cultivation by 4.13 kg, or 5.3%, at the age of 6 months – by 9.95 kg, or 6.2%, and at the age of 12 months by 18.6 kg, or 6.4%. It is characteristic that heifers grown during the dairy period in individual cells retain an increased growth rate in subsequent age periods.

A review paper: Synthesis techniques and advance application of Mn-Zn nano-ferrites

This review study is interesting to discussed about the synthesis techniques and the applications of the Manganese-Zinc (Mn-Zn) ferrites because to their large range of many new applications in great areas or in our daily life. Mn-Zn ferrites are generalized as a smooth magnetic material which have a good-properties in the electrical, optical, magnetic and chemical. Its main properties including with the high value of permeability, resistivity, permittivity, low coercivity and saturation magnetization. This paper examines techniques (synthesis) and applications of the M Fe2O4 (M = Copper, Nickle, Zinc, Manganese) nanosized particles including their advantages. Its maximum level of (coercivity, anisotropy, Curie temperature), moderate saturation magnetization, high resistivity, minimum eddy current losses, significant mechanical hardness, and chemical stability and high-quality redox chemistry which make nano-sized ferrites suitable for potential uses into fields of magnetic and non-conductive materials, light absorption, and hydrolysis. The cation dispersion in the Mn-Zn ferrites also affected in the form which is morphological, electrical and magnetic properties. It alters as cation concentrations and sintering circumstances changes in wide range of applications. As above the methods that is sol–gel method, hydrothermal process, combustion method, biosynthesis methods, solvothermal methods, microwave assists combustion methods, co-precipitation methods are present there with the advantages and disadvantages are given in Table 2. The above-mentioned Mn-Zn ferrites which are also used in the various applications in Fig. 2. These ferrites are used in the electrical and electronical applications, magnetic appliances, biomedical applications, telecommunication and many others. It finds that, it is widely used in our daily life (almost in household appliances) such as television, refrigerator, laptop, desktop, LED bulb, juicer mixer, washing machine, printer, microwave ovens, mobiles, mobile chargers and many other appliances. This review paper mainly focused to discussed on the various synthesis methods and application which we are used in our daily life.

Cold-curing mixtures based on biopolymer lignin complex for casting production in single and small-series conditions

<abstract> <p>This study proves that lignin-based biopolymer materials can be employed as starting materials for the synthesis of novel casting binders that fulfill the current level of characteristics. The optimal concentration of the binder in the mixture was experimentally determined to be 5.8%–6.2%. It has been demonstrated in practice that the employment of ammonium salts as a technical lignosulfonate (TLS) modifier can result in the provision of cold (room temperature) curing of a mixture based on them. It was proposed to use as a technological additive that boosts the strength characteristics of a mixture of substances carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). In a variety of adhesive materials, it is utilized as an active polymer base. The concentration limits for using CMC in the mixture are set at 0.15%–0.25%. To improve the moldability of the combination, it was suggested that kaolin clay be used as a plasticizing addition. The concentration limits for using a plasticizing additive are set at 3.5%–4.0%. The produced mixture was compared to the analog of the alpha-set method in a comparative analysis. It was discovered that the proposed composition is less expensive, more environmentally friendly, and enables the production of high-quality castings. In terms of physical, mechanical, and technological properties, the created composition of the cold curing mixture is not inferior to analogs from the alpha-set method. For the first time, a biopolymer-based binder system containing technical lignosulfonate with the addition of ammonium sulfate and carboxymethyl cellulose was used in the production of cast iron castings on the case of a cylinder casting weighing 18.3 kg from gray cast iron grade SCh20. Thus, it has been proved possible for the first time to replace phenol-based resin binders with products based on natural polymer combinations. For the first time, a cold-hardening mixture based on technological lignosulfonates has been developed without using hardeners made of very hazardous and cancer-causing hexavalent chromium compounds. But is achieved through a combination of specialized additives, including kaolin clay to ensure the mixture can be manufactured, ammonium sulfate to ensure the mixture cures, and carboxymethyl cellulose to enhance the strength properties of the binder composition. The study's importance stems from the substitution of biopolymer natural materials for costly and environmentally harmful binders based on phenolic resins. This development's execution serves as an illustration of how green technology can be used in the foundry sector. Reducing the amount of resin used in foundry manufacturing and substituting it with biopolymer binders based on technological lignosulfonates results in lower product costs as well as the preservation of the environment. Using lignin products judiciously can reduce environmental harm by using technical lignosulfonates, or compounds based on technical lignin. The combination is concentrated on businesses with single and small-scale manufacturing because it is presumable that this is merely the beginning of the investigation. This study confirms the viability of creating a cold-hardening combination based on technical lignosulfonates in practical applications and supports this with the castings produced, using the creation of a gray cast iron cylinder casting as an example.</p> </abstract>

Thermal Study and Modeling of the Cold Room of a Solar Adsoption Refrigerator

Thermal Study and Modeling of the Cold Room of a Solar Adsoption Refrigerator

Growth of floating hook-moss (Warnstorfia fluitans) differs with nutrient and water flow adjustments in greenhouse and cold room conditions

Floating hook-moss (Warnstorfia fluitans) is a bryophyte growing in northern aquatic and peatland ecosystems. W. fluitans uptakes metals and excessive amounts of nitrogen from wastewater, which suggests that it may have commercial potential for use in phytoremediation. Optimization of growth conditions would allow artificial cultivation of floating hook moss in large quantities for phytoremediation applications. We tested how application of combined nutrient (NPK 7-2-2 ranging from 0.1 to 1 ml per liter of water) and water flow (ranging from 0.15 to 1.9 ml/min) treatments affect growth of W. fluitans in greenhouse conditions. At the end of the experiment, all treatment combinations were subjected to an additional cold room condition at low temperature (0–2 °C) without constant water flow. The moss generally produced biomass in the various treatment combinations. However, contrary to our expectations, we found that increase of nutrients and water flow had a negative effect on the growth of W. fluitans. The highest growth rates in the experiment were detected in the control unit that had no nutrient addition or applied water flow. Our results suggest that cold temperatures are beneficial for W. fluitans growth. Our results show that the commercial production of W. fluitans may not require nutrient or water flow manipulation, at least in the tested scale. Instead, the growth conditions should mimic the natural cold climate conditions of W. fluitans habitats in northern peatlands and/or spring ecosystems.

Proposal For the Recovery of Waste Cold Energy in Liquefied Natural Gas Satellite Regasification Plants

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) gasification is usually conducted with atmospheric vaporizers. In this process, there is a phase change at cryogenic temperatures from liquid to steam by an endothermic process, where the waste cold energy is lost. This wasted cold energy can be used in other processes (or strategic business units) that demand cooling, increasing energy efficiency. Energy efficiency will help companies be more competitive and environmentally friendly. Energy cost reduction may allow companies to increase their product portfolio, benefitting all the supply chain echelons. A technique to recover waste cold energy is proposed to improve the energy efficiency of a cold room. The proposed approach consists of four phases that recover between 30% -40% of the gasification process, in particular LNG flow conditions. These four phases are Basic design engineering, feasibility, and economic viability of the results of Basic Engineering, availability of equipment in the market, and assembly and operation.

Factors influencing the decision to purchase mackerel products from Si Vieng Thong Cold Room in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR

The purpose of this research is to examine the elements that influence people's decisions to purchase mackerel products from Si Vieng Thong Cold Room in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR. The sample group was 400 people. Use questionnaires as a tool to collect data. Descriptive statistics were used to describe general information and buying behavior, and inferential statistics through the Logit Model were used to study the variables influencing the purchase of mackerel products. The study's findings revealed that most of the sample groups were females, between the ages of 21 and 40, with a bachelor's degree and a monthly wage ranging from less than 20,001 to 30,000 Baht. The reason for consuming mackerel the most is its delicious taste. Most forms of consumption require cooking first. The amount of consumption per person is about 1-2 baskets, with a frequency of about 2 weeks to consume mackerel. The time of consumption was mostly in the evening. In terms of the marketing mix (4 Ps), it was at a high level. As for the variables influencing the decision to buy mackerel products, age (AGE), income (INC), and marketing mix (4 Ps) were statistically significant.

Quality Estimation of Net Packaged Onions during Storage Periods using Machine Learning Techniques

Onions are a significant crop in Korea, and cultivation is increasing every year along with high demand. Onions are planted in the fall and mainly harvested in June, the rainy season, therefore, physiological changes in onion bulbs during long-term storage might have happened. Onions are stored in cold room and at adequate relative humidity to avoid quality loss. In this study, bio-yield stress and weight loss were measured as the quality parameters of net packaged onions during 10 weeks of storage, and the storage environmental conditions are monitored using sensor networks systems. Quality estimation of net packaged onion during storage was performed using the storage environmental condition data through machine learning approaches. Among the suggested estimation models, support vector regression method showed the best accuracy for the quality estimation of net packaged onions.

Design and Evaluation of Wireless Power Monitoring IoT System for AC Appliances

The paper is aimed to develop a wireless alternating current (AC) power monitoring module which features the advantage of cost-effectiveness and sufficient reliability for the proposed AC power monitoring Internet of Things (IoT) system. The novel wireless AC power monitoring module consists of both ZMPT101B voltage sensor and ACS712-20 current sensor; a 16-bit analog-to-digital (ADC) ADS1114 with I2C interface and WeMos D1 Mini Wi-Fi module were integrated for monitoring refrigerator and air conditioner appliances with the ratings of single-phase 110/220 VAC, respectively. First, both analog readings of V/I sensors for AC appliances are converted into data streams in compliance with I2C (inter-integrated circuit) protocol, and are forwarded to a WeMos D1 Mini Wi-Fi module for the corresponding values of instantaneous electric power and energy, power factor (pf), and frequency well programmed in the built-in ESP8266EX IoT-based microcontroller unit (MCU) based on the well-known AC power fundamentals. All of the important AC power parameters are sent to the ThingSpeak IoT platform through Wi-Fi network. The visualization of voltage, current, electric power and energy, pf, and frequency is illustrated in the ThingSpeak IoT platform. Both close agreement and confidence of the proposed AC power monitoring IoT system for both refrigerator and air conditioner are evaluated with two CM3286-1 AC Power Meters. Taking the commercialized CM3286-1 instrument as reference, the values of mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) for above six electrical parameter readings are all less than 2%. The evaluation results illustrate sufficient closeness of agreement and confidence for the proposed wireless AC power monitoring IoT system for in situ monitoring AC appliances with single-phase 110/220 VAC ratings. Furthermore, the cost of the proposed AC power monitoring module is less than 100 USD, which makes the novel module more cost-effective than commercialized AC power meters which generally cost over 1000 USD. The novelties of the work are the following: (1) the introduction of ADS1114 provides I2C interface directly for Wi-Fi module to reduce the capital cost of the proposed wireless AC power monitoring module; (2) the sufficient confidence of the proposed AC power monitoring IoT system has been validated with closeness of agreement as compared to the commercialized CM3286-1 AC Power Meters. These make the assessment action of environmental, social, and governance (EGS) for stakeholders much more feasible with the advantages of cost-effectiveness and sufficient confidence.

Methods Adopted in the Preservation of Fish and their Health Implications to the People of Sampou, Bayelsa State

The methods adopted to preserve fish can affect its nutritional quality owing to the likelihood of deposition of chemical and biological agents, which can also be injurious to health upon consumption. This study aimed to assess the impact of these preservation methods on the health of the people of Sampou. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among people of Sampou, aged between 15-60 years. Data were collected from 364 respondents using interview and self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The study shows that smoking is the most common method of fish preservation in Sampou because it's easily accessible. Result of the study also revealed that fish preservation methods have health implications, such as burns, eye irritation, cough, asthma exacerbation, bronchitis, fever and chest pain. Although, smoking tends to prolong the shelf life of the fish it impacts adversely on health. It was recommended that farmers should seek support to build a solar powered cold room storage in Sampou, while the government should provide funds which will help fish farmers get better equipment. Medical officers and other healthcare workers should encourage regular medical screening and check up for fish farmers.

Viability and vigor of soybean seeds as a result of industrial seed treatment and stored in different environments

The industrial seed treatment (IST) of soybeans is an economically recommended technique in agricultural production, providing protection against pests and initial pathogens. However, the real effects of pesticides about the quality of soybean seeds are still little known, since the adoption of the system is still recent by soybean farmers. The objective of this work was to evaluate the physiological quality of soybean seeds, treated or not, with insecticide/ fungicide new mixtures and stored for 240 days in a non-controlled and controlled environment. The completely randomized design was used, distributed in a 5 x 2 x 6 factorial scheme with four replications. The plot treatments consisted of soybean seeds belonging to the cultivar M - 7739 IPRO, treated with six different insecticide/ fungicide mixtures {(Cruiser®); (Amulet®); (MaximAdvanced®); (Cruiser®+ MaximAdvanced®); (MaximAdvanced® + Amulet®); (untreated control)}, stored in two environments {(laboratory – without control and cold room – with control (10 ± 2 ºC,45± 2% UR)} for eight months of storage with five evaluation times (0; 60; 120; 180 and 240days). The following tests were carried out: water content, germination, first count, seedling length and seedling dry mass. It was found that the chemical treatments negatively affect the germination potential of seeds, especially after 120 days of storage, regardless of the environment.Thiamethoxamand Thiamethoxam + Metalaxil; Tabendazole; Fludioxonil after storage provided the biggest reductions in seed viability and vigor after 240 days of storage. The cold room environment provides better conditions for the conservation of the germinative potential of soybean seeds.

Microbial Contamination and Proximate Carcass of Cod (Gadus morhua) Obtained from Local Markets of Imo State

The microbial and proximate quality of Cod Gadus morhua obtained from cold room and open markets of three Local Government Areas of Imo state, Nigeria was carried using standard mehods. Microbial analysis revealed that the total viable count for the fish species sampled from cold room ranged from 5.3 x 104 – 9.5 x 104 cfu/g while that of the open market samples ranged from 8.0 x 104cfu/g to 2.8 x 105cfu/g. Total Fungal Count (TFC) had increasing microbial values in the open markets than in the cold rooms and ranged from 1.0 x 103cfu/g to 7.2 x 103cfu/g for cold room samples whereas a range of 1.0 x 105cfu/g to 3.4 x 105cfu/g was obtained for open markets. Generally, ten bacterial species and nine fungal species were isolated and identified during characterization from the cold room and open market samples, bacteria being Micrococcus spp., Stphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella spp. while fungi include Geotrichum spp., Candida spp., Rhizopus stolonifera, Mucor spp., Rhodotorula spp., and four species of Aspergillus. Result for proximate composition shows that crude protein cold room value was 17.24 ±0.52 but significantly increased in the open market samples (19.44±0.94) just as there was significant difference in crude fiber values of cold room (6.98±0.54) and open markets (ranged between 3.04±0.81 and 4.39±1.30). On the other hand, an insignificant increase in values of moisture content, NFE, ash content and ether extract but with values reducing from cold room (1.30±0.62 and 1.06±0.50) to open market (0.12±0.70 and 1.00±1.00) as their minimum value for the later. It is suggested that fish be appropriately handled in ice boxes during transport and storage before sale especially in the absence of refrigerators so as to reduce microbial contamination and maintain its original proximate value.

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF FISH VALUE CHAIN IN TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

The study assessed the economic analysis of fish value chain in Taraba State, Nigeria. The broad objective of the study was to analyze the fish value chain in Taraba State. The specific objectives were to described the socio-economic characteristics of the actors in the value chain, to determine the cost and return of the various actors among the value chain and also to identify the problem encountered in fresh fish value chain. Descriptive statistics and gross margin analysis were used to analyzed the data obtained from the analysis it was found that females were found to dominate fresh fish marketing and processing nodes with about 68%, and 89%, respectively, while male (72%) dominate the production node and were also the majority (61%) of the consumers’ household heads. Fish processors into dried/smoked in wet season made the highest margin of ₦3,302,000.00/kg, followed by fish processors into dried/smoked in dry season with ₦2,232,000.00/kg and roasted/fried fish marketers made the least gross margin of ₦416,202.17/kg Fish roasting (pepper-fish), frying, smoking and sun drying were the value addition carried out. Major constraints were inadequate capital, poor storage facilities, and high cost of transportation. It is recommended that cooperative society should be formed by the actors for the provision of storage facilities (cold room) in the market that will be conducive for storage of fish. Government should assist the fish marketers by reducing the tax imposed on them and providing them with loans and transportation facilities.

Environmental behaviours and risk perception of domestic consumers: Refrigeration equipment case study

European citizens believe they can play a role in protecting the environment through changes in how they buy, consume, and separate waste, but they also believe they are not doing enough. Household refrigerating appliances, such as refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioning systems (at home or in the car), impact severely global warming due to their high energy consumption and the high global warming potential of the most used refrigeration gases. Despite the unequivocal importance of consumers' actions, their behaviours during equipment purchase, use, maintenance, and disposal at the end-of-life have been largely ignored in policy regulatory strategies. In this work, the gap between consumers’ concerns and their behaviours was addressed by assessing their actions specifically related to the refrigeration gases of their domestic refrigeration equipment (refrigerators and air conditioning systems), at every stage of the equipment life cycle. A questionnaire was conducted with a sample of 648 Portuguese, Spanish and French consumers, aiming at diagnosing the importance and risk attributed to refrigeration gases, and their perception of the actions they can take to reduce this risk. The results revealed that, despite attributing great importance to climate change and considering refrigeration gases a high danger to the environment, most consumers did not consider these gases in their decision when purchasing refrigeration equipment. However, in general, consumers have correct behaviours when there is an equipment malfunction, although they have little information relative to the authorized technicians for installation or maintenance of equipment. The results of this work allowed us to identify the topics that need to be reinforced in future awareness campaigns and to provide some recommendations to promote appropriate consumer behaviour.

Influence of harvest method on the quality and storage of highbush blueberry

Blueberry quality is one of the most important elements that needs to be evaluated when automatisation processes, such as harvest automation, occur along the supply chain. The aim of this work was to evaluate the suitability of two blueberry cultivars, of new introduction for the area of study, to the mechanical harvest. Particularly the influence of harvest method was evaluated on the quality of cv. Cargo® and Top Shelf® for a short storage time (max. 28 days) in normal atmosphere assuming so an immediate sale of blueberries. Samples mechanically harvested were compared in terms of qualitative performance with samples manually picked throught two activity carried on two years. In the activity 1 a preliminary laboratory test simulation of mechanical harvest was carried on to evaluate the attitude of both cultivars to the automatisation process and the berries were evaluated immediately after the harvest time. The activity 2 was aimed to evaluate the quality of berries mechanically harvested in field and after the storage process at 2 ± 1 °C and 90% RH in a cold room for 28 days under normal atmospheric conditions (NA). The higher percentage of shrivelled berries for the simulation of mechanical harvest samples (SEH) (activity 1) and berries harvested with the Easy Harvester machine® (EH samples) (activity 2) in the post-harvest period was probably due to the low % of pruin on berries skin content at the harvest time (0 days). All samples although achieved a quality assessment equivalent to still marketable berries after 28 days of storage. TSSC were significantly higher in the EH group for both years. TSSC and TA were higher in Cargo® than in Top Shelf®. In general the automatisation of the harvesting process did not significantly affect blueberry quality after storage. • This work highlights how the way of harvest can affect the quality of fruits during the storage time. • New blueberry cultivar ( ‘Cargo’® and ‘Top Shelf’®) for the market are evaluated in this studies; limited studies are reported on these cultivars. • Limited studies are reported on the mechanized harvest on blueberries in Italy