Thermal Management of Short-Range Distribution of Perishable Food Products Using Phase Change Materials in Packaging: Real-Time Field Data Acquisition

Abstract

Maintaining a stable temperature is critical in ensuring the longevity of perishable foods, and frequent fluctuations due to short-range distribution conditions can negatively affect this stability. To mitigate these variations, an innovative modular packaging system utilizing phase change materials (PCMs) was employed in the transport and storage of horticultural products. This study’s real-time thermal condition data, collected using a wireless data acquisition system inserted in the packaging, demonstrated the efficacy of PCM in increasing temperature stability within the crates of horticultural products. The field tests conducted over 8 h showed that PCM-equipped packaging boxes exhibited a temperature variation of less than 1 °C, compared to non-PCM boxes, which saw variations up to 3 °C. This marked reduction in temperature fluctuation signifies the potential of PCM in improving thermal and logistics management in food conservation, thus reducing food waste. However, it is essential to implement a system for PCM alveoli reuse to avoid adverse environmental impacts. Future research should focus on the PCM alveoli autonomy and quantity requirements for specific conditions, and integrate sensors to monitor transport dynamics to enhance the understanding of temperature stability in perishable food transportation.