Wankhade AN, Khambalkar VP*, Madhuri Gajabe and Shilpa Khambalkar

Agricultural Engineering Division, College of Agriculture, Akola Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Maharashtra, India

*Corresponding Author: Khambalkar VP, Agricultural Engineering Division, College of Agriculture, Akola Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Maharashtra, India.

Received: July 26, 2024 Published: May 31, 2025

Abstract

Development of Solar-powered Cooling Chamber for Preservation of Vegetables and Fruits" explores the utilization of solar energy to enhance the preservation of perishable goods through an innovative cooling chamber system. The project aims to address the critical need for sustainable and energy-efficient solutions in the agricultural sector, aligning with the global shift towards clean technologies. The study's objectives include the development of the solar-powered cooling chamber, performance evaluation, and an economic analysis of the system. Various parameters such as ambient temperature, wind velocity, solar intensity, and panel efficiency were monitored during experimentation. Observations revealed that the solar panel voltage and battery voltage increased with solar intensity, reaching peak values at specific times. The solar-powered cooling chamber demonstrated effectiveness, achieving maximum cooling efficiency with specific air flow rates and cellulose pad thickness. Results from the response surface methodology (RSM) optimization using a central composite model indicated that a combination of 18 m3/s air flow rate and 50 mm cellulose pad thickness minimized physiological weight loss and rotting. The solar-powered cooling chamber demonstrated maximum efficiency at an airflow rate of 18 m3/s and a cooling pad thickness of 50 mm, resulting in increased shelf life for spinach, tomatoes, and oranges by 2, 5 and 5 days respectively. The system's overall efficiency, supported by a 40 W solar panel, was found to be 14.78%, and the battery achieved full charge within 8 hours. Furthermore, the economic analysis demonstrated the viability of the solar-powered cooling chamber, with a total cost of Rs. 47625 and a net present worth of Rs. 270003.4, resulting in a benefit-cost ratio of 1.13. The system's payback period was determined to be 11 months, indicating a justifiable investment. The study concludes that the developed solar-powered cooling chamber is an effective, eco-friendly, and economically viable solution for preserving vegetables and fruits, especially in areas with limited access to conventional electricity.

Keywords: Battery; Cooling Chamber; Responce Surface Methodology; Solar Power; Evaporative Cooling; Vegetables and Fruits; Preservation; Shelf Life; Economics

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Citation

Citation: Khambalkar VP., et al. “Development of Solar Powered Cooling Chamber for Preservation of Vegetables and Fruits". Acta Scientific Agriculture 9.6 (2025): 45-61.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2025 Khambalkar VP., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.