What is Cold Storage Humidification & How Does it Work?
Cold storage and ripening chambers are systems that are used to control the ripening process of produce. Cold storage refers to holding produce in cold, temperature controlled rooms after being harvested and before being delivered to grocery stores. Cold storage ripening chambers are where produce is held after harvesting then ripened to the specific requirements of the produce. After this process is complete it is ready to eat and healthy looking by the time it gets to a supermarket.
Ripening chambers work by controlling the natural ripening process through regulation of temperature, humidity, supply of fresh air in the chamber, in addition to monitoring levels of ethylene, CO2, and nitrogen that gets released from the produce during the ripening process. By managing these conditions, ripening chambers can speed up or slow down the ripening process.
How Does a Ripening Room Function in Practice?
By taking control of the ripening process, farmers are able to maximize their yield and maximize the amount of produce they can sell to supermarkets. For example, bananas have a ripening period of about 4 to 8 days after being harvested, but they require being transported by ship to get to the U.S. So, it is in the best interest of both the farmers and supermarkets to make sure the bananas ripen while being transported so that consumers can enjoy ripe bananas. By utilizing a ripening chamber, farmers can harvest bananas at an earlier stage (young bananas that are not ready to be eaten) and then control the ripening process during transportation in order to speed up the ripening process. Alternatively, bananas can be picked closer to maturity and then have the ripening process slowed down in a ripening chamber.
The Importance of Humidification in Cold Storage & Ripening Rooms
Maintaining the necessary environmental conditions is key in a proper ripening chamber. One of the biggest issues people have with this process is maintaining proper humidity control. Chilly temperatures of a cold storage room reduce the air’s humidity content which can cause it to suck the moisture out of anything it can find, including the produce itself. This can cause product weight loss which also affects the appearance of the product and therefore the overall value of the product.
The only way to combat this issue is to use a humidification system, but the wrong system can cause further issues if its control is not precise enough or if the space is not being evenly humidified. Using MeeFog’s cold storage humidification system will prevent these issues in ripening chambers because it is designed for precise control even in tight spaces with less airflow. This is achieved by using a specialized MeeFog fog nozzle set up that allows for uniform humidification that won’t build up on surfaces.
MeeFog’s Cold Storage & Ripening Room Humidification System
Not only do MeeFog humidification systems properly humidify and cool down rooms, they also contribute to significantly reduced energy costs and consumption compared to other humidification systems.
MeeFog saves up to 95%in energy compared to other systems.
MeeFog systems for ripening room humidification benefit the grower, the seller, and the consumer. MeeFog prevents the deterioration of produce in transportation and reduces energy costs. MeeFog systems are low maintenance, easy to service, and don’t contribute to the negative effects that permanent high humidity has on sensors and other valuable equipment used in ripening chambers.
In order to anticipate and control conditions in ripening chambers, MeeFog uses ultra-fine water droplets that get dispersed evenly and do not build up on surfaces. The humidity level is closely monitored by a humidistat that manages the system using real-time humidity and temperature readings. Mee Industries Inc. has installed fogging systems in more than 10,000 facilities around the world.
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Benefits of MeeFog™ Systems for Cold Storage & Ripening:
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Specifications for MeeFog’s Easy to Maintain System:
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If you are interested in a MeeFog humidification system please contact us to request a quote or for more information if you would like to know more.
Mee Industries Inc. specializes in providing custom-engineered, turn-key high-pressure fog solutions. We are committed to developing and supporting the most reliable fog systems available anywhere in the world. The MeeFog team looks forward to discussing your project
with you.