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(Reference retrieved automatically from SciELO through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Automatic control of water sistems in the cleaning step in fresh market tomato packing units

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Author(s):
Marcos D. Ferreira [1] ; Rafael P. Benicio [2] ; Cláudio K. Umezu [3]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Unicamp. Faculdade de Engenharia Agrícola
[2] Unicamp. Faculdade de Engenharia Agrícola
[3] Unicamp. Faculdade de Engenharia Agrícola
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Engenharia Agrícola; v. 31, n. 5, p. 1027-1035, 2011-10-00.
Abstract

Water is a natural resource becoming scarce in many regions. Cleaning fruits and vegetables, generally demands high water consumption. A fresh market tomato packing-line is composed of: receiving, cleaning, sorting, classifying and packing. Normally, the receiving process for tomatoes in a packing line happens in a constant flow, however often interruptions of operators cause loss of water, energy and also fruits cleaning efficiency. The main goal of this study was to develop an automation system for cleaning fruits, with a rational water use. For evaluating cleaning efficiency it was developed a methodology using a turbidimiter. The results showed that the cleaning efficiency index was statistically similar between the two systems; however, water consumption for the automated system was four times lower than the traditional system, suggesting a potential for commercial application on this system. (AU)