Agriculture
August 19, 2024
EvaKuula
Read SolutionImplemented by
Smallholder fortunes and Thermogenn
Updated on January 31, 2024
·Created on August 30, 2020
Fenik's Yuma 60 L is a portable cooling system that refrigerates perishable foods without using electricity.
Fenik’s Yuma 60 L Cooler is a portable system that refrigerates perishable foods such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. The cooler does not require electricity to operate and instead uses patent-pending PhaseTek™ membrane technology to facilitate evaporative cooling. The degree to which the device cools food depends on the ambient air temperature and relative humidity and may cool the internal storage space by 20-30 °F. Fenik, which is based in Somerville, Massachusetts manufactures the Yuma 60 L Cooler. The product was designed by Quang Truong, Jeremy Fryer-Biggs, and Spencer Taylor.
Target SDGs
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
SDG 13: Climate Action
Market Suggested Retail Price
$149.95
Target Users (Target Impact Group)
Household, Community
Distributors / Implementing Organizations
Fenik conducted R&D and field trials in Morocco with help from USAID. The product is currently available to purchase online.
Competitive Landscape
Direct competitors include Charcoal Cooler, Evaporative Cooling Chambers, and Zeer Pot.
Manufacturing/Building Method
This product is mass produced in China. Interview with representative
Intellectural Property Type
Trademark
User Provision Model
The product is available to purchase online.
Distributions to Date Status
As of 2019, 1000 units have been produced, 250 of which were used in Morocco for initial field testing, and 150 of which were donated to low-income families in Morocco. Interview with representative
Storage capacity (L)
60 L
Time to cool (hr)
1 hr Interview with representative
Cooling retention (hr)
24 hrs
Temperature control
No
Minimum internal temperature (°C)
11.7 °C
Materials of construction
Food-safe plastic and PhaseTek™
Protection from insect entry
Yes
Refrigeration cycle catalyst
The internal reservoir is filled with water and is transported through the walls of the device to the surface where it evaporates, cooling the inside of the chamber through the latent heat of vaporization.
Design Specifications
Fenik's Yuma 60 L Cooler is a collapsible cooler that uses evaporative cooling. The dimensions when expanded are 57 x 45 x 39.5 cm and when collapsed are 57 x 45 x 11.6 cm. The weight when empty is 2 kg. The cooler can hold 60 L worth of food and 3.8 L of water in the internal reservoir. The cooling capacity depends on ambient air temperature and relative humidity. The cooler is made of food-safe plastic and PhaseTek™ membrane technology. The cooler has an internal chamber to hold food and a water reservoir between the chamber and outside wall. The reservoir is filled with water and as the water evaporates through the external walls, the internal chamber is cooled.
Technical Support
Provided by the manufacturer.
Replacement Components
None
Lifecycle
3 years Interview with representative
Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters
Vetted Performance Status
Testing performed by Fenik determined to cool the internal storage space by 20-30 °F from ambient conditions. No third-party testing has been completed. Interview with representative
Safety
No known safety hazards are related to this product.
Complementary Technical Systems
The product requires a water supply and the manufacturer recommends using potable, soft water, although hard water can also be used if no soft water is available.
Academic Research and References
Basediya, A. L., Samuel, D.V.K., and Beera, V., 2013, Evaporative cooling system for storage of fruits and vegetables – a review, J Food Sci Technol, 50, pp. 429–442.
Riangvilaikul, B. and Kumar, S., 2010, An experimental study of a novel dew point evaporative cooling system, Energy and Buildings, 42(5), pp. 637-644.
Heidarinejad, G., Bozorgmehr, M., Delfani, S. and Esmaeelian, J., 2009, Experimental investigation of two-stage indirect/direct evaporative cooling system in various climatic conditions, Building and Environment, 44(10), pp. 2073-2079.
Compliance with regulations
Unknown
Other Information
The Fenik Yuma 60 L was funded by a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. The company has a video explaining their product and how it works. PhaseTek™ USAID Manufacturer specifications No third-party testing, the designer conducted field testing with support from USAID, National Geographic, and The Siemens-Stiftung Foundation.
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