Cold Storage Methods examines the science behind preserving food without electricity, a crucial topic for sustainable agriculture, food security, and reducing food waste. It explores how understanding thermal physics can lead to effective, non-electric food preservation, particularly valuable for off-grid communities and regions with unreliable power. The book highlights two key areas: passive cooling, using natural phenomena like evaporative and radiative cooling, and controlled atmosphere storage, which modifies the storage environment to slow spoilage.
Delving into age-old practices through a modern scientific lens, the book bridges traditional knowledge with physics. For example, understanding heat transfer principles allows for optimization of storage designs. The book begins with thermodynamics and heat transfer fundamentals, progressing to various passive cooling methods and controlled atmosphere principles, before culminating in integrated storage system designs. Case studies illustrate the effectiveness of these methods across diverse climates.
The book's unique value lies in its rigorous, physics-based analysis, offering a scientific approach to traditional methods. It targets agricultural scientists, engineers, and policymakers, providing the knowledge to design sustainable storage solutions. By presenting empirical data, mathematical models, and engineering design principles, Cold Storage Methods emphasizes the practicality of non-electric food preservation.
