You’re probably aware of the fundamentals of proper refrigeration for produce, but maybe you never associated a term for this process. Rest assured, we’ve got you covered! Humidification is the process of maintaining the quality of the products for long periods of time. As a manufacturer of humidification systems, Agroel Ventilation & Controls is committed to providing quality climate control systems for our robust clientele. Let’s further explore the importance of humidification for your refrigeration units and how it will protect your valuable produce.

Why You Need To Humidify The Air

Humidification is advantageous for many reasons, especially from an economic standpoint. It can be a lucrative way to turn profits, if used correctly. In basic terms. The larger number of quality products that are delivered from a storage facility, the bigger the profit. Moisture works to mitigate deterioration and loss of product quality at certain temperatures, inside the storage section (room).

The Relationship Between Cooling And Humidification

During the process of cooling and humidification, moisture is added to the air by passing it over as a stream or spray of water, which is at a lower temperature than the dry bulb. When air passes over the stream of water, the particles of water present within the stream will get evaporated from giving up heat to the stream. The evaporated water is then absorbed by the air, so the moisture content (humidity) will increase. The stored product will dry when it’s cooling down. Why does this occur? Because, cooling air is only partially saturated with water, and it’s able to take in extra water in the form of water vapor. 

Water that evaporates through pores of produce during breathing is then taken out of the storage area through air circulation in the cooling process, resulting in the product losing weight. Water is lost when the coolers are condensed, or it’s taken out in conjunction with warm air through outlet hatches during ambient ventilation. The goal is to reduce the amount of lost water, saving storekeepers much money throughout the process. 

Understanding The Efficacy Of Refrigeration Systems

Refrigeration is necessary to maintain constant produce temperature, and ventilation on its own won’t preserve it. In these kinds of scenarios, a refrigeration system will run as a backup for your ventilation system. This in itself is an alternative source of cool air, in the event that it’s not available from the outside. A build up of cooled stored material has a larger temperature capacity, and it also possesses the ability to stay at a temperature during certain periods, and yes, even when the weather is warmer. Not every storage facility is lucky enough to have refrigeration. Agroel Ventilation & Controls is a big proponent for installing these units on site. Consider the following factors when installing climate control systems:

  • Storing seasons and storing temperatures, and the availability of cool outside air changes throughout the year.
  • Geographic locations of the storage facilities.
  • Assessing the storage economy: Refrigeration is not affordable for certain products, but for others it’s necessary to provide top-notch products.
  • Sensitivity of the stored product with changes in temperature.
  • The frequency of unloading and loading.

Stored products are known to form organic substances (think CO2 and ethylene) and these can have negative effects on produce quality, even speeding up the process of unwanted ripening, which no one wants! The best way to prevent this from occurring is to pair a state-of-the-art ventilation system with a refrigeration system. The combination will incite periodic exchanges of storage air, reducing the concentration of gasses. The systems have been designed in such a way, in regard to the debilitating conditions in which they operate. Refrigeration can be placed in pallet storage units or in bulk storage areas.

Agroel Provides Top-Tier Climate Control Systems

Agroel Ventilation & Controls is proud to offer comprehensive solutions in the form of humidification systems. Our approach is simple: Supply enough water to the air, so it can evaporate. The lack of water droplets in the storage area will mitigate the production of mold for your produce. No one does it quite like our team at Agroel. Contact us today!