Environmentally controlled storage facility for potatoes and other crops

Abstract

Facilities for storing large quantities of potatoes, other tubers, vegetables, produce, and/or other crops are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a facility configured in accordance with the present technology circulates air from a pile of potatoes into one or more ceiling cavities above the potatoes to warm ceiling panels. Aspects of this embodiment can reduce undesirable water formation on the potatoes.

I/we claim: 
     
         1 . A crop storage facility comprising:
 an exterior roof panel;   a ceiling panel disposed beneath the exterior roof panel to define a space therebetween;   a crop storage area disposed beneath the ceiling panel; and   at least one air mover configured to receive air from the crop storage area and move the air through the space between the ceiling panel and the roof panel.   
     
     
         2 . The crop storage facility of  claim 1  wherein the crop storage area has a width extending from a first sidewall to a second sidewall, and wherein the at least one air mover is configured to move the air received from the crop storage area across the full width of the crop storage area in the space between the ceiling panel and the roof panel. 
     
     
         3 . The crop storage facility of  claim 1  wherein the ceiling panel includes a lower surface facing toward the crop storage area and an upper surface facing toward the roof panel, and wherein the storage facility further comprises a gutter configured to receive water from condensation flowing off the upper surface of the ceiling panel. 
     
     
         4 . The crop storage facility of  claim 1  wherein the exterior roof panel has a first temperature and the ceiling panel has a second temperature, higher than the first temperature. 
     
     
         5 . A potato storage facility having a potato storage area, the storage facility comprising:
 at least one air inlet configured to receive air from outside the storage facility;   an air plenum extending adjacent to the potato storage area;   at least a first air mover configured to move the air from the air inlet through the air plenum;   a plurality of ventilation ducts extending across a floor portion of the potato storage area, wherein each of the ventilation ducts is configured to receive a portion of the air flowing through the air plenum, and wherein each of the ventilation ducts includes a plurality of apertures for flowing the air portions upwardly through a pile of potatoes placed thereon;   a ceiling panel disposed above the potato storage area; and   at least a second air mover configured to circulate at least a portion of the air flowing upwardly through the pile of potatoes through an air passage above the ceiling panel.   
     
     
         6 . The potato storage facility of  claim 5  wherein the air plenum has a first cross-sectional area toward a first end that receives air from the first air mover, and a second cross-sectional area, less than the first cross-sectional area, toward a second end that is downstream from the first end. 
     
     
         7 . The potato storage facility of  claim 5  wherein the air plenum is defined by first and second side walls and a ceiling, and wherein the ceiling slopes downward in a direction of air flow from the first air mover. 
     
     
         8 . A method of environmentally controlling a potato storage facility, the method comprising:
 receiving air from outside the storage facility;   cooling the air received from outside the storage facility;   flowing the air upwardly through a pile of potatoes stored in the storage facility;   receiving the air after the air has flowed upwardly through the pile of potatoes; and   moving at least a portion of the air received from the pile of potatoes through a plenum positioned adjacent to a ceiling panel extending over the pile of potatoes.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising increasing the moisture content of the air received from outside the storage facility before flowing it upwardly through the pile of potatoes. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 collecting water from condensation in the plenum; and   directing the water away from the pile of potatoes.