Advantage of evaporative cooled storage
1. Avoid distress sale of fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers. It requires no special skill to operate and therefore is most suitable for rural application.
2. It can be made from locally available materials.
3. Its size can be fitted to the house hold need.
4. Better marketability of fresh horticultural produce than ambient.
5. Retain nutritive value.
6. Environment friendly storage system with no pollution.
7. Highly efficient evaporative cooling systems that can reduce energy use by 70%.
8. Evaporation not only lowers the air temperature surrounding the produce, it also increases the moisture content of the air. This helps to prevent the drying out of the produce, and therefore extends its shelf life.
9. Less expensive to install and operate.
10. It can be easily made and maintained.
11. The evaporative cool chamber does not require mechanical or electrical energy input and can be constructed with locally available material with unskilled labour.
12. It is economical and can store the fruits and vegetables for 3 to 5 days without any significant loss
Disadvantage
1. Evaporative cooling system requires a constant water supply to wet the pads. Therefore, need to be watered daily.
2. Space is required at outside the home.
3. Water high in mineral content leave mineral deposits on the pads and interior of the cooler gets damaged.
4. High dew point (humidity) condition decreases the cooling capability of the evaporative cooler.
5. No dehumidification. Traditional air conditioners remove moisture from the air, except in very dry location. Evaporative cooling adds moisture and in dry climates, dryness may improve thermal comfort at higher temperatures.