How capable is your post-harvest storage control panel?
Can it work for your specific needs – or are there limitations?
There are many factors to consider when you are ready to tie all of your storage equipment together under one unit of control. Making the right choice in maintaining control can have huge impacts on the quality of your stored commodity.
Our Product Quality Specialist, John Klimes, recently published an article in Spudman Magazine related to the subtleties of storage control.
Modern Control Panels
are incredible tools with many features that can aid growers in maintaining product quality throughout the long storage season. They can save many hours of labor and concern when they are used to the full capacity of their design. Many times, control panels seem to be lacking capabilities, when in fact their design has simply not been demonstrated to the user. Control panels in storages are capable of monitoring temperature, humidity, and CO2. Quality panels and the proper equipment can control the climate inside the storage to very specific parameters. They can also import information and store it for long-term evaluation and predictive analysis. Automation of control based on the climate needs within the storage is key to maintaining product quality and providing peace of mind for growers and storage managers.
Storage Monitoring and Control
in todays’ potato storages should include temperature, humidity, refrigeration, CO2, static pressure, Delta T, outdoor temperature, outdoor humidity, bay lights, climacell, humidifiers, fresh air doors, circulation fans, cavity heat, automated ramp, and automated fan speed. Considering the needs of a specific storage, a few other site-specific controls may include air velocity sensors, plenum heat, dehumidification, condensation control, shrink calculators, scales, chemical application equipment, calendar of events, sensors that detect breakdown, and specific automation parameters.
Some control panels have extreme flexibility in their design as it relates to input and output capabilities – making the sky truly the limit regarding sensors that can be installed and equipment that can be controlled.
While the Panel is Handling All
of these sensors and controls, it is also collecting an enormous amount of data. This information can be used to diagnose problems in a storage and automate control to provide the most desirable climate for the crop that is being stored. The control panel can even bring in field and harvest data to aid in storage automation. A control panel should be able to store data long term to diagnose or predict issues. Most control panels collect information on a regular interval and can automate control based on the information gathered. This information can also be analyzed by the user to evaluate the condition of the equipment and the status of stored product health. A control panel should be able to calculate the most efficient method of operation to maintain the climate within the building and adjust operational parameters to maintain the desired climate.
To Get the Most out of ANY Control Panel – Apps for Mobile Devices Have Become Essential…
A good panel app will be easy to use and understand…
while allowing the user to see settings and make adjustments. The app should also be capable of sending alarms if certain storage parameters are not met, and if system failures occur. Most growers and storage managers are busy with a multitude of tasks on the farm – it is hard to find the extra time to babysit storages! With mobile devices and unlimited high-quality communication, the control panel can actually travel with the grower and storage manager. The status and multiple controls of each storage can be accessed at a glance allowing for necessary adjustments to be made.
Growers and Storage Managers can benefit from taking time to learn their specific control panel design…
Gaining a greater understanding of the functions and capabilities may even allow them to “dare to dream” a little about the design and functionality. Identify what is needed from the panel and the user interface and be willing to provide feedback to panel manufacturers. Are there other sensors or devices that would add function or value? How helpful would field, harvest, or weather information from the growing season be? An intuitive control panel is key to maintaining a healthy crop during storage.
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