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Phase change materials in packaging for buffering temperature fluctuation during short-range distribution of perishable food products.

Number: 0400

Author(s) : AGUIAR M., GASPAR P. D., SILVA P. D.

Summary

The global effort to feed a growing population is not only focused on increasing food production, but also on decreasing food waste. Perishable foods, such as most horticultural products, demand specific conditions for optimum preservation. Two of the most important characteristics to control are temperature and humidity. Inadequate temperature and humidity lead to accelerated degradation, decreasing food quality, which can ultimately become a health issue, or lead to food waste. During short-range distribution, as inside a city network, fluctuations in temperature and humidity are common, as it is not easy to maintain a controlled environment while distributing perishable food products, due to frequent door opening and irregular refrigeration conditions. In the present work, Phase Change Materials (PCM) are included in the packaging boxes used to transport the perishable food products, to buffer the temperature fluctuations during transportation. These fluctuations were monitored using a wireless system that uses an array of temperature and humidity sensors, which communicate in real-time the transport thermal conditions. The measurement field results of the temperature and humidity fluctuations during transportation were compared for the cases of packaging boxes with and without PCMs. Results show that the PCM inside packaging boxes can provide a relevant contribution to the attenuation of the unavoidable temperature fluctuations that occur in this kind of short-range transportation. This approach can be outlined as a good practice for this type of food distribution.

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Pages: 11

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Details

  • Original title: Phase change materials in packaging for buffering temperature fluctuation during short-range distribution of perishable food products.
  • Record ID : 30031780
  • Languages: English
  • Subject: Technology
  • Source: Proceedings of the 26th IIR International Congress of Refrigeration: Paris , France, August 21-25, 2023.
  • Publication date: 2023/08/21
  • DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18462/iir.icr.2023.0400

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