GNG5140 - Sustainable Food Storage

DESCRIPTION

Problem statement: To investigate and improve an existing prototype for food storage in Eastern Canada: an above-ground vegetable root cellar designed by a local grassroots organization called Deep Roots Food Hub.
Our solution: An innovative storage solution is proposed to fully utilize the produce chamber space. Three customized plywood racks are dseigned to store produces, while coroplast boxes can be used to organize different vegetables and fruits. The solution also allows airflow to efficiently remove the heat produced by food.
Cost: The plywood racks and coroplast boxes cost less than $1000 to make.
Important details:

The chamber can store more than 17,500 kg of potatoes theoretically.
The stress test result reveals that the plywood structures can sustain 100,000 kg before cracking.
Racks are 6 ft tall, the top level can be accessed without using ladders. There are more than 5 ft of distance between racks to provide enough space for walking.
Wall Insulations, heating elements, and cooling elements were examined mathematically. The produce chamber can maintain a consistent temperature of 2-4 C in winter and early spring.
Green energy solutions, namely solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal, were investigated to help the root cellar stay off-grid.
Several UN Sustainable Development Goals are met, such as no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well being, responsible consumption and production, climate action, etc,

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PUBLISHED ON

Mar 22 2022

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