TOWARDS THE MAINTENANCE OF A UNIFORM AND CONSTANT TEMPERATURE IN A CARGO OF RESPIRING PRODUCE

The important factors to the maintenance of a uniform and constant temperature in a container load of respiring produce are the rate of evolution of heat by the produce, the rate of distribution of heat leakage through the walls of the enclosure, and the flow rate and distribution of refrigerated air. Following upon investigations carried out in 20 ft ISO containers equipped with bottom-to-top air circulation and stowed with fruit in fibreboard cartons, this paper investigates the effects on the distribution of air of altering the sizes of the air flow channels in and around the stow, and discusses the consequent effects on temperature rise in the circulating air. It is also shown how day to night variations in ambient temperature reduce temperature unformity in the stow by changing the load on the refrigeration unit. The maximum storage life of respiring produce is obtained when the produce is kept just above the temperature at which chilling or freezing injury occurs. A significant portion of the storage life of sensitive produce can be lost during transport to a distant market. With perishable produce even small deviations from the optimal storage temperature can result in unacceptable deterioration. Good temperature control and air flow distribution are required to ensure satisfactory transport of sensitive produce.

• Corporate Authors:

  Bureau International des Containers

  38 Cours Albert
  Paris,   France 
• Authors:
  • Sharp, A K
  • Irving, A R
• Publication Date: 1980-10

Media Info

• Pagination: 7 p.
• Serial:
  • CONTAINERS
  • Issue Number: 58

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Containerized fruit; Containers; Perishables; Refrigeration (Structures); Refrigeration systems; Stowage; Temperature control (Structures)
• Old TRIS Terms: Container stowage
• Subject Areas: Construction; Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00330054
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: International Cargo Handling Coordination Assn
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 15 1981 12:00AM