What started as a unique system for independent outdoor storage of onions has now grown into a much broader storage solution for the agricultural world: condensation drying. The system is now also being used successfully by potato growers and ENGIE Refrigeration is applying the technology for other products, such as breeding trays, samphire, ginger and valerian. The results are clear: the quality of the products remains optimal.
The wet autumn in 2019 forced many farmers to make new choices. ENGIE Refrigeration therefore saw a clear increase in the demand for condenser drying. One technology with which farmers are no longer dependent on the outside air to dry and store their products. With the closed system, the storage conditions, such as humidity and temperature, can be fully controlled. As a result, much less germination occurs and onions no longer even need an extra sprout inhibitor. This also makes condensation drying very interesting for organic growers.
Constant storage climate
"Condensation drying makes it possible to achieve a constant storage climate within the cell. This is important for the peace of mind of the product," explains Marcel Bennink, project leader at ENGIE Refrigeration. "A quiet product breathes less and dries out less. In addition, we also see that due to these optimal storage conditions there is much less spread of rot nests. The bad tubers dry up completely, so that your entire batch is not lost. Onions dry up to twice. so quickly and potatoes only dry up to a maximum of 3%. This way a grower is left with many more marketable products with a longer trading time."
In the video "Maintain product quality with condensation drying" van Boerenbusiness Bennink explains all the advantages of condensation drying.
Proven successful
The system has proven itself several times over the past year. For example, the grower who stores both onions and potatoes and who previously opted for condensation drying for his onions. After he couldn't dry his potatoes during the wet autumn, he also used the system for this potato harvest. Within a few days, good results were already visible: he had regained control of the game.
Further development
Condensation drying is no longer unique in the market. But not every system is equally up-to-date and based on the right knowledge. ENGIE Refrigeration continues to develop: "We still learn every day from experiences with our customers and continue to optimize our systems together with them. We also learn from experiences in other sectors that may be relevant to the agricultural sector. from the cheese industry, where the storage climate is even narrower than in the agricultural sector, so we know very well what we are doing."
This knowledge has enabled ENGIE Refrigeration to optimize the system in recent years. It is now even possible to check the storage conditions of several cells with different products from one central control system. This puts ENGIE at the forefront of the market.
Opportunities for arable farmers
Condensation drying provides more advantages in addition to minimal drying. The storage system is also very energy efficient and sustainable. Because one natural refrigerant is used, there is no heat transfer from one to the other and there is no energy loss. It is also possible to use residual heat for other processes, such as heating products or heating spaces. This makes gas heaters superfluous. Together, this results in a much lower CO2emissions.
The benefits are countless. There are therefore wonderful opportunities for arable farmers who want to be able to respond better to market conditions by maintaining quality for a longer period of time. "You can really keep control over the quality of your product. Grab it", Bennink encourages the agricultural sector.
Would you like to know more about the benefits of condensation drying for your company? Ask for free knowledge document 'Condensation drying: drying and storing onions independently' on on www.condensdrogen.nl.