Design and construction of an evaporative charcoal cooler for fresh tomatoes.

Abstract

Food supply can be induced either by increase in production or reduction in loss. Many post-harvest losses are direct result of factors such as high field temperatures on -tomatoes before and after harvesting, poor storage, pests and diseases attack and many ethers hence increase in the losses after harvest. The purpose of the study was to help in enhancing the- quality and prolong the shelf of fresh tomatoes through the knowledge. of constructing an evaporative charcoal cooler that is economical, easily operated and socially friendly -in terms of operation. The study objectives were. to design, construct and assemble the different components of an evaporative charcoal cooler. These were done and achieved by using. the knowledge engineering drawing, different soft- wares such as AutoCAD, Solid edge to come up with the sketches of the drawings for the designs. Measurements were done using tape measures. and others so as to come up with the required material sizes and dimensions from which assembling activities were done and they included joining through hammering, gluing, tightening by binding wires and others. However, the study was limited to designing, constructing and testing of an evaporative charcoal cooler. These tests included temperature tests, relative humidity tests for the ambient. and -the cooler and physical tests on tomatoes. Here different tables were, used in data recording at different and specific intervals so as to evaluate the performance of the cooler and come up realistic deductions and recommendations in relation to the study. In addition an economic analysis of the cooler was also performed -through which a payback period was used an economic evaluation method after having cost benefit analysis the cooler.