Experimental study of an isothermal container insulated with kapok wool for cold storage

Abstract

This work concerns an experimental study of an isothermal container insulated with kapok wool for heat or cold storage. The insulation matrix of the equipment consists of kapok wool, a natural insulator that is found in abundance in Burkina Faso. In our previous work, we have shown that this equipment, thanks to its thermal insulation, can contribute to reduce significantly energy consumption in the catering sector. It also keeps cooked dishes for long hours. The present study has enabled us to highlight another property of the equipment, namely cold storage. Indeed, through a mass balance over time of an initial amount of ice in the equipment, we obtain a conservation rate of 50% of ice after four (04) days. These results cor- roborated by the monitoring of temperatures within the equipment show that the isothermal container can be used in the cold chain for the conservation of perishable food products.