Potatoes need to preserve their quality after harvest. Insufficient and inefficient storage structures are the primary cause of crop loss in the potato industry. The cause of this is that structural and environmental factors that affect crop qualities are disregarded when designing storage structures.

Structural (wall, wind, snow, crop, and floor loads), insulation (thermal requirement, fire retardant, and moisture removal systems), mechanical (ventilation, heating, and humidification systems), electrical, and control systems are all factors to consider when designing potato storage. All a storage period can do is aid in potato quality preservation.

Almost any structure can be modified to store potatoes, although commercial rigid frame steel structures are rarely employed because of the insulation challenges provided by the exposed steel beams and columns. Concrete, wood studs and pole frames, and aluminum quonsets are the three most popular materials for storage buildings. Capital cost, longevity, and the type of insulation needed for the outer building envelope are the aspects that differ between different building types. No matter the building’s style, a professional engineer should handle the design to make sure the building can resist the pressure from the stored potatoes, wind, and snow.

Early preparation is necessary to ensure that the storage is available at harvest time because design and construction can normally take three to four months or longer. The needs of various producers and the cost of construction greatly influence the size of individual bins and storage systems. Individual treatment is necessary since various fields of potatoes frequently behave differently in storage. Storage management is hindered when potatoes from different fields are kept together in large bins since smaller bins are more expensive per hundredthweight in the ideal scenario. It is advised to have a covered loading area that is connected to the storage bin(s). This will minimize potential issues caused by chilly tubers and allow employees to comfortably transport potatoes in bad weather.

Storages Must be Well Insulated and Sealed

The atmosphere necessary to sustain the stored potatoes’ health must be maintained, hence storages must be well insulated and sealed. Insulation plays a crucial role in preventing condensation in addition to limiting heat loss and assisting in maintaining the ideal storage temperature. Condensation water that drips onto the tubers will promote the growth of soft rots and may negatively affect the quality of the potatoes. It is advised to add enough insulation to reach a minimum thermal resistance (RSI) of 6.1. This is equivalent to 150 mm of polyurethane insulation or 250 mm of fiberglass insulation.

You can read the rest of this article in your complimentary e-copy of Issue 3 of Potato Business Dossier 2023, which you can access by clicking here.