Analysis of Bio Mass Powered Cooling System for Banana Preservation

Abstract

Banana are highly perishable fruits that require proper cooling to extend shelf life and maintain a quality.Conventional refrigeration systems, however, relay on fossil fuels and electricity, leading to high operational costs and environmental concerns. This study analyzes the feasibility of a biomass powered cooling system for banana preservation. The research explores different biomass sources,cooling techniques, and system efficiencies to optimize performance. Thermo dynamic modeling,experimental validation, and economic analysis are conducted to evaluate the System’s viability. The findings indicate that biomass- powered cooling is a sustainable and costeffective alternative for banana preservation, particularly in rural and off-grid areas.

Introduction

Bananas are highly perishable and require controlled storage conditions—ideally 13–15°C and 85–95% humidity—to extend shelf life and reduce post-harvest losses. Traditional refrigeration is often impractical in rural areas due to high electricity costs and unreliable power. Biomass-powered cooling systems present a sustainable alternative by using agricultural waste to generate heat that drives an absorption refrigeration cycle, producing cooling without electricity.

This project evaluates such a biomass cooling system focused on banana preservation, analyzing cooling efficiency, temperature stability, fuel consumption, economic feasibility, and environmental impact. The system includes a biomass combustion unit (burning wood chips, crop residues, etc.), a heat exchanger, an absorption chiller (ammonia-water based), and a well-insulated cooling chamber designed to maintain ideal storage conditions.

Key findings highlight that the system can maintain stable temperatures, reduce operational costs, extend banana shelf life by 7–10 days, and lower carbon emissions compared to conventional refrigeration. It offers a cost-effective, eco-friendly solution especially suitable for small-scale farmers and off-grid rural communities.

Advantages include renewable fuel use, reduced fossil fuel dependence, waste recycling, and economic benefits for farmers through reduced losses. Limitations involve dependency on biomass fuel availability, somewhat lower cooling efficiency than electric systems, initial setup costs, and the need for emission control and fuel management under varying weather conditions.

Conclusion

The biomass-powered cooling system for banana preservation offers a sustainable, cost-effective and energy-efficient alternative to conventional refrigeration methods. By utilizing locally available biomass as a fuel source, the system significantly reduces operational costs and dependence on electricity, making it particularly beneficial for rural and offgrid farmers.The system effectively maintains optimal temperature (13-150C) and humidity (85-95%), extending the shelf life of banana by 7-10 days, thereby minimizing post-harvest losses and improving farmer’s income. In addition to economic benefits, the system is environment friendly, as it relies on renewable biomass energy and produces lower carbon emissions compared to fossil fuel-powered refrigeration. The incorporation of efficient insulation, controlled ventilation and ethylene gas management further enhances cooling performance, ensuring that stored bananas retain their freshness, texture and quality. Overall , the biomass-powered cooling system is a practical, scalable and ecofriendly solution that addresses the challenges of banana preservation in tropical regions. Its ability to operates independently of grid electricity makes it an ideal choice for small and mediumscale farmers,contributing to food security, reduced waste and improved agricultural sustainability. Further research and optimization can enhance system efficiency, making it more adaptable for a wider range of perishable commodities.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 POOJA R, VIJI N, PRABHU M. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.