Abstract: Systems and methods for treating large quantities of potatoes, other tubers, vegetables, produce, and/or other crops are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a crop storage facility configured in accordance with the present technology includes a treatment system configured to distribute a treatment agent configured to inhibit spoilage of the crops. The treatment system can include a combination of two or more chemical compositions configured to release different concentrations of the treatment agent to produce a desired level of the treatment agent in the storage facility.

Abstract: Vented floor structures are described herein. In some embodiments, precast vented floor structures (which can also be referred to as “air floors”) can be used in crop storage facilities, such as potato, onion, and/or other crop storage facilities. Embodiments of the vented floor structures described herein can be manufactured using a form to create air vents in the floor structure that do not require plastic shells or other ancillary structures to define or create the vent openings. Embodiments also include inserts that can be installed (e.g., removably installed) in vent openings to vary the opening size and/or configuration, or complete plug selected vent openings.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating large quantities of potatoes, other tubers, vegetables, produce, and/or other crops are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a crop storage facility configured in accordance with the present technology includes a treatment system configured to distribute a treatment agent configured to inhibit spoilage of the crops. The treatment system can include a combination of two or more chemical compositions configured to release different concentrations of the treatment agent to produce a desired level of the treatment agent in the storage facility.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating large quantities of potatoes, other tubers, vegetables, produce, and/or other crops are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a crop storage facility configured in accordance with the present technology includes a treatment system configured to distribute a treatment agent configured to inhibit spoilage of the crops. The treatment system can include a combination of two or more chemical compositions configured to release different concentrations of the treatment agent to produce a desired level of the treatment agent in the storage facility.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating large quantities of potatoes, other tubers, vegetables, produce, and/or other crops are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a crop storage facility configured in accordance with the present technology includes a treatment system configured to distribute a treatment agent configured to inhibit spoilage of the crops. The treatment system can include a combination of two or more chemical compositions configured to release different concentrations of the treatment agent to produce a desired level of the treatment agent in the storage facility.

Abstract: Systems and methods for refrigerating crops and other goods and for defrosting a refrigeration system. A refrigerant is circulated between a condenser and a refrigerator to cool air in the refrigerator. Heat is removed from the refrigerant at the condenser. Periodically the cycle of refrigerant and air can be reversed to melt frost in the refrigerator. Frost can be detected by a sensing mechanism and the refrigerant and air cycles can be reversed in response to detecting the frost. The frost can be removed quickly without removing the goods from the refrigerant.

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.

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.

Abstract: Methods and systems for applying peracetic acid and/or other decay inhibitors to post-harvest crops stored in controlled atmosphere storage facilities are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of applying a decay inhibitor includes forming an aerosol of particles comprising peracetic acid and directing at least a portion of the aerosol into a controlled atmosphere storage facility to provide a substantially uniform distribution of the decay inhibitor over the crops stored therein.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: Methods and systems for applying CIPC and/or other sprout-inhibiting substances to post-harvest potatoes and/or other vegetables are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of applying sprout inhibitor includes directing a first portion of an aerosol of the sprout inhibitor toward a top portion of a pile of potatoes, and then directing a second portion of the aerosol toward a bottom portion of the pile. In one aspect of this embodiment, directing the aerosol toward a top portion of the pile can include operating a facility fan at a flow rate of 6 SCFM or more in a first direction, and directing the aerosol toward a bottom portion of the pile can include operating the fan at a flow rate of 6 SCFM or more in a second direction, opposite to the first direction. In another aspect of this embodiment, the sprout inhibitor aerosol can include a mixture of CIPC and solvent (e.g., clove oil) that remains liquid at temperatures less than 105° F.

Abstract: Systems and methods for refrigerating crops and other goods and for defrosting a refrigeration system. A refrigerant is circulated between a condenser and a refrigerator to cool air in the refrigerator. Heat is removed from the refrigerant at the condenser. Periodically the cycle of refrigerant and air can be reversed to melt frost in the refrigerator. Frost can be detected by a sensing mechanism and the refrigerant and air cycles can be reversed in response to detecting the frost. The frost can be removed quickly without removing the goods from the refrigerant.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling air characteristics for storage facilities. A controller and temperature sensors can detect an external temperature and compare it to a reference temperature. Depending on the relationship between the external temperature and the reference temperature (e.g. warmer or colder) the controller can initiate a burner, open an air intake, and operate fans to achieve desirable conditions within the facility efficiently.

Abstract: Systems and methods for remote management of storage facilities are disclosed herein. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a central management system including a server, and several managed facilities. Each facility is operated by at least one programmable logic controller (PLC), which gathers data regarding the operation of the facility and stores the data locally at the facility or sends the data back to the server. The server is configured to respond to requests from known web browsers to provide near real-time information to users concerning the storage facility.

Abstract: An improved combustion-type fogging apparatus and process for applying herbicides, insecticides and the like, as an aerosol is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes an improved combustion chamber with counter-current flow of combustion and supplemental air along with a stator at the downstream portion of the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber also has a hydrocarbon fuel burner to produce hot gases which along with the combustion air and supplemental air forms a hot gas flow into an aerosol chamber wherein a liquid or molten material is introduced for the purpose of being converted into a stable aerosol or fog for introduction into a storage facility or for other purposes of applying an aerosol of an insecticide, herbicide or other liquid or molten material.