The Design and Operation of a Jacketed Vegetable Storage

Abstract

The design and operation of Canada's first commercial jacketed vegetable storage is described, with an outline of the basic principles involved. The room is of economical wood frame construction with fiberglass insulation. The jacket feature increased construction cost about 15%. The results obtained in the first year of operation were considered to be excellent because of the high quality maintained in the stored produce (carrots and cabbage). Decay was also lower than in non-jacketed rooms For the second year, measures taken to improve internal air circulation (modification of pallet boxes and stacking arrangement, and installation of an economical fan-duct system) were very effective, with further improvement in storage conditions. The high quality and extended storage life of the produce resulted in a marketing advantage since it was possible to sell on the basis of market demand rather than on the basis of limited storage life.