Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
85287 | Computers and Electronics in Agriculture | 2009 | 6 Pages |
Abstract
Mexico is the world's largest cactus pear producer and aspires to be the world's largest exporter. Export pear quality depends significantly on good cuts during harvest, so a cauterizer was developed to cut and seal 600 fruits per hour. Shelf life of pears (variety Opuntia spp.) increased without storage room ventilation or cooling. The cauterizer uses a battery recharged from a solar panel to provide the energy required during cutting. The system was energy-optimized in order to use the smallest solar cell to decrease high initial costs. Cuts at 150 °C destroyed thorns and cauterized the fruits. After 2 months of storage, 78% of the pears were healthy. Maturation began after 45 days when weight loss was 2%.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Computer Science
Computer Science Applications
Authors
Federico Hahn,