How to Cool Farm Eggs with Photovoltaics?
Have you a POULTRY FARM of laying eggs hens?
Have you problems of EGGS PRESERVATION because your farm is OFF-GRID?
Do you know that RENEWABLE ENERGY could be your solution?
Conservation of fresh eggs
Laying poultry farm selling eggs to ovo producers must be very careful about cold storage of eggs. According to temperature, an egg can last from 7 to 30 days maximum to final consumption. But your farm have to refrigerate farm eggs to prevent the proliferation of microorganisms!
The eggs at farm must be stored at <4°C (39ºF) and <10°C (50ºF), for a maximum of 2 to 10 days, according to international laws or different weather conditions. You are advised not to make a prior wash at farm, as the water passes through the thin shell and facilitates the growth of microorganisms. Also, avoid sudden temperature changes that cause water condensation on the shell and increase the risk of contamination.
The question is: How can I REFRIGERATE THE EGGS in my small poultry farm if there is NO ELECTRICITY?
Solar photovoltaic to refrigerate eggs
Refrigerator. – First you should search for top cover refrigerators to keep egg production cool. I advice on finding a chest freezer but to be used as a refrigerator with a temperature between 1°C (34ºF) and 10°C (50ºF). The reason is that the isolation of a freezer is far superior to that of a refrigerator, which minimizes thermal losses.
Photovoltaic modules. - Second action will be to calculate a solar photovoltaic installation adequate to the electrical specs (Wp and V) and consumption (Wh) of the fridge selected, taking care the panels will only work when there is sun. The photovoltaic modules must look to the equator, usually on the roof with the most appropriate tilt to the warmer season, when most will have to work the fridge.
For this case I do not recommend nor small wind power (there may be many days without wind in summer) neither diesel generator, since the system has to be autonomous without human intervention.
No batteries. – I don’t consider necessary any electric storage battery in this system. The thick walls insulated freezer-refrigerator used is enough to keep eggs cool at night. To facilitate thermal inertia overnight you can enter bottles filled with water with some glycol in the fridge, especially in its upper part.
Do you know of specific cases with photovoltaic panels and refrigerators for cooling of eggs on off-grid farms? Your opinion should be very appreciate for other poultry farmers!
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