Ethylene Control System for Potato Sprout Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for introducing ethylene into potato stores to control sprouting result in increased respiration rates and reducing sugars, leading to undesirable darker fry color and acrylamide production, and require costly management interventions to maintain temperature and carbon dioxide levels, with some potato varieties like Innovator being particularly sensitive and not adequately controlled.
Innovation Solution
A method involving initial super low ethylene doses (0.001-0.099 ppm) for short periods, followed by incremental increases in a pump control phase, transitioning to sensor-controlled ethylene application to maintain predetermined concentrations, reducing the respiration response and achieving commercial quality goals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continual ethylene supply with ramped increase is used to control sprouting, then sprout control is improved, but respiration rate increases and reducing sugars accumulate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using cyclic ethylene dosing (8 hours on, 16 hours off) instead of continual supply. This periodic exposure maintains sprout control effectiveness while allowing respiration rates to decrease during the off-periods, thereby reducing accumulating harmful effects like reducing sugars and heat generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action through an acclimatization phase where ethylene dosage is gradually increased over 21 days before transitioning to cyclic dosing. This gradual introduction allows the crop to adapt to ethylene exposure, reducing the respiration response and preventing sudden spikes in harmful byproducts when full dosing begins.
2Reliability
If management intervention is used to maintain temperature and carbon dioxide levels, then crop quality is improved, but energy cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of ethylene-induced respiration into a beneficial outcome by using the periodic dosing strategy. The respiration spikes that would normally require energy-intensive cooling interventions are prevented through the 16-hour off-periods, allowing the system to naturally dissipate heat and maintain temperature without additional energy input while still achieving quality preservation.
3Quantity of substance
If replacement of high humidity store air with low humidity ambient air is used to reduce carbon dioxide concentration, then carbon dioxide levels are improved, but weight loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by monitoring ethylene concentration and adjusting dosing accordingly. Ethylene sensors detect concentration levels and provide feedback to the dosing system, which then modulates the cyclic dosing to maintain optimal levels without excessive air exchange. This prevents the need for humidity-reducing air replacement that would cause weight loss, while still maintaining carbon dioxide levels through controlled ethylene management.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing an ethylene environment in a crop store and an ethylene environment control system are disclosed. The method includes monitoring ethylene concentration in the crop store, setting an ethylene acclimatization dosage to an initial value, performing pump control including repeating applying an ethylene dosage to the crop store according to the acclimatization dosage; waiting for a predetermined period; and, increasing the acclimatization dosage value for a next dosage. Upon the monitoring detecting an ethylene concentration for a qualification period the method includes changing from pump control to sensor control, sensor control comprising monitoring ethylene concentration in the crop store and upon the ethylene concentration falling below a predetermined threshold, triggering addition of ethylene to the crop store.