Abstract:
The objective of the research were to a prototype solar-charcoal cooler and test its performance in the
temperature development and products storageability. A prototype solar-charcoal cooler was developed at
the Biomechanical and Environmental Engineering Department (BEED), College of Engineering and Technology
of the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya and performance tested in
terms of temperature and product storageability. The performance of the cooler indicated positive results as
regards to ideal parameters affecting produce storage. These parameters mainly included variations in
temperature and humidity to levels ideal to product storage. The results also indicated that various fruits and
vegetables including paw paws and spinach could be stored in the cooler for longer periods as compared to
when they were under ambient conditions.
