ENVIRONMENTALLY CONTROLLED STORAGE FACILITY FOR POTATOES AND OTHER CROPS

• US 20140272046A1
• Filed: 03/13/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Storage Systems Northwest, Inc.
• Original Assignee: JMC Enterprises Incorporated
• Inventors: Micka, Joel, Terry, Robert
• Application Number:
  US14/209,386
• Publication Number:
  US 20140272046A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/419
• CPC Class Codes: A01F 25/08 Ventilating means
• CPC Class Codes: A01F 25/10 Shelters ; Open sheds or similar structures
• CPC Class Codes: A01F 25/22 Ventilating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 7/0425 the material not being transported through or in the apparatus, with or without shaping, e.g. in the form of powder, granules or flakes A23B7/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 7/144 in the form of gases, e.g. fumigation; Compositions or apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 7/148 in a controlled atmosphere, e.g. partial vacuum, comprising only CO2, N2, O2 or H2O
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2002/00 Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 5/08 Buildings or groups of buildings for agricultural purposes silos E04H7/22
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/22 Means for preventing condensation or evacuating condensate
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2013/221 to avoid the formation of condensate, e.g. dew
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 7/02 Roof ventilation ventilation of roof coverings E04D
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 7/10 with air supply, or exhaust, through perforated wall, floor or ceiling outlet members for directing or distributing air into rooms or spaces, e.g. ceiling air-diffusers F24F13/06

Abstract

Facilities for storing large quantities of potatoes, other tubers, vegetables, produce, and/or other crops are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a facility configured in accordance with the present technology circulates air from a pile of potatoes into one or more ceiling cavities above the potatoes to warm ceiling panels. Aspects of this embodiment can reduce undesirable water formation on the potatoes.

Claims

1. A crop storage facility comprising:

an exterior roof panel;

a ceiling panel disposed beneath the exterior roof panel to define a space therebetween;

a crop storage area disposed beneath the ceiling panel; and

at least one air mover configured to receive air from the crop storage area and move the air through the space between the ceiling panel and the roof panel.

2. The crop storage facility of claim 1 wherein the crop storage area has a width extending from a first sidewall to a second sidewall, and wherein the at least one air mover is configured to move the air received from the crop storage area across the full width of the crop storage area in the space between the ceiling panel and the roof panel.

3. The crop storage facility of claim 1 wherein the ceiling panel includes a lower surface facing toward the crop storage area and an upper surface facing toward the roof panel, and wherein the storage facility further comprises a gutter configured to receive water from condensation flowing off the upper surface of the ceiling panel.

4. The crop storage facility of claim 1 wherein the exterior roof panel has a first temperature and the ceiling panel has a second temperature, higher than the first temperature.

5. A potato storage facility having a potato storage area, the storage facility comprising:

at least one air inlet configured to receive air from outside the storage facility;

an air plenum extending adjacent to the potato storage area;

at least a first air mover configured to move the air from the air inlet through the air plenum;

a plurality of ventilation ducts extending across a floor portion of the potato storage area, wherein each of the ventilation ducts is configured to receive a portion of the air flowing through the air plenum, and wherein each of the ventilation ducts includes a plurality of apertures for flowing the air portions upwardly through a pile of potatoes placed thereon;

a ceiling panel disposed above the potato storage area; and

at least a second air mover configured to circulate at least a portion of the air flowing upwardly through the pile of potatoes through an air passage above the ceiling panel.

6. The potato storage facility of claim 5 wherein the air plenum has a first cross-sectional area toward a first end that receives air from the first air mover, and a second cross-sectional area, less than the first cross-sectional area, toward a second end that is downstream from the first end.

7. The potato storage facility of claim 5 wherein the air plenum is defined by first and second side walls and a ceiling, and wherein the ceiling slopes downward in a direction of air flow from the first air mover.

8. A method of environmentally controlling a potato storage facility, the method comprising:

receiving air from outside the storage facility;

cooling the air received from outside the storage facility;

flowing the air upwardly through a pile of potatoes stored in the storage facility;

receiving the air after the air has flowed upwardly through the pile of potatoes; and

moving at least a portion of the air received from the pile of potatoes through a plenum positioned adjacent to a ceiling panel extending over the pile of potatoes.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising increasing the moisture content of the air received from outside the storage facility before flowing it upwardly through the pile of potatoes.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

collecting water from condensation in the plenum; and

directing the water away from the pile of potatoes.