Extended potato storage (more than 12 weeks) for fresh consumption, processing and seed requires proper storage design to ensure the potato quality from storage is acceptable for the intended use of the potato. The design of these storage facilities require attention to the local environment and production practices along with the intended end use of the potato from storage. This presentation will provide insight into an energy balance-based design of ventilation, humidification, heating, cooling and air mixing systems to produce the proper environment to maintain optimum potato quality. This work will be extended through local environmental analysis to other areas around the world. The goal of this presentation is to bring to light some of the fundamental forces resulting in the variation in global potato storage recommendations for ventilation rates.
Todd Forbush, Vice President, Techmark, Inc.