Active controlled atmosphere systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing controlled atmosphere systems are inflexible and unable to accurately tailor atmospheric conditions to the specific needs of different types of perishable goods, which affects the ripening process and shelf-life during transportation.
Innovation Solution
An active controlled atmosphere system with multiple gas exchange modules and a control module that selects operational modes based on predetermined atmospheric control logics, allowing for independent regulation of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels to match the respiration rates of various goods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If passive controlled atmosphere systems are used, then carbon dioxide levels can be reduced, but oxygen levels cannot be reduced and system flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent gas exchange modules, each capable of handling different gas components (oxygen reduction module, carbon dioxide reduction module). This segmentation allows selective activation of modules based on the specific respiratory needs of different goods types, providing flexibility while maintaining effective control of individual gas levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically selects and activates specific gas exchange modules based on real-time atmospheric conditions and the respiration characteristics of the stored goods. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt its functionality from passive CO2 control to active O2/CO2 control, resolving the contradiction between gas control capability and system flexibility.
2Reliability
If existing controlled atmosphere systems are used, then basic atmospheric control is achieved, but the systems are inflexible and cannot accurately tailor conditions to different goods types
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed with universal adaptability to handle multiple goods types with different respiration rates. By incorporating a library of respiration rate profiles and enabling dynamic selection of appropriate gas exchange module combinations, the system provides reliable atmospheric control tailored to specific goods requirements, whether they are high-respiration or low-respiration items.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (which gas exchange modules are active, their operational modes) based on the identified goods type and its respiration characteristics. This parameter adjustment allows the same physical system to provide optimized atmospheric conditions for different goods, achieving both reliability and adaptability.
3Device complexity
If single-mode gas exchange modules are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but precise control of multiple gas components cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex multi-functional modules, the system segments gas control into separate dedicated modules (oxygen reduction module, carbon dioxide reduction module). Each module has a simple, specialized function, but their combination enables precise control of multiple gas components. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by achieving precision through modular simplicity rather than complex single modules.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables more precise control over the ripening process and shelf-life of different types of goods, improving the storage conditions within freight containers by adjusting atmospheric conditions according to the specific needs of each type of perishable item.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of gas exchange modules, each being operable to vary the level of a respective component gas in the cargo storage space
Implementation Method 2
a control module configured to control operation of each gas exchange module according to a plurality of different predetermined atmospheric control logics
Implementation Method 3
Perishable goods also tend to respire aerobically during transport, consuming oxygen in the container and generating carbon dioxide
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for operating an active controlled atmosphere (CA) system to regulate the atmosphere in a cargo storage space. The controlled atmosphere system comprises: a plurality of gas exchange modules, each being operable to vary the level of a respective component gas in the cargo storage space, and/or at least one gas exchange module operable in a plurality of different modes to vary the level of a respective component gas in the cargo storage space; and a control module configured to control operation of each gas exchange module according to a plurality of different predetermined atmospheric control logics. Each atmospheric control logic defines operational gas exchange modules and/or operational modes for use over respective operational ranges of atmospheric conditions, and each atmospheric control logic is configured to cause operation of a different combination of gas exchange modules and/or modes over a comparable operational range, independently of any setpoints for gas component levels. The method comprises: the control module selecting an operational atmospheric control logic from the plurality of different predetermined atmospheric control logics for atmospheric control of the cargo storage space; and the control module controlling operation of each gas exchange module dependent on the selected operational atmospheric control logic to regulate the atmosphere in the cargo storage space.