Plasma Generating Unit for Ethylene Reduction in Reefer Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional reefer units struggle to effectively reduce ethylene levels during the transport of perishable goods, leading to product decay and increased energy costs, with ozone-based systems producing harmful byproducts.
Innovation Solution
The use of a plasma generating unit in the reefer unit, which reacts with ethylene to produce harmless carbon dioxide and water, providing a safe and environmentally friendly method for ethylene reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If ozone is used to react with ethylene, then ethylene levels are reduced, but harmful byproducts such as formaldehyde and carcinogenic compounds are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the oxidizing agent from ozone to plasma. Plasma generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as atomic oxygen, hydroxyl radicals, and hydrogen peroxide through physical excitation and dissociation of gas molecules, rather than through chemical synthesis like ozone. This parameter change eliminates the formation of harmful byproducts while maintaining ethylene oxidation capability, as ROS directly oxidize ethylene to harmless carbon dioxide and water without forming intermediate carcinogenic compounds
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical system (ozone generation and chemical reactions) with a physical system (plasma generation). Plasma is generated through electromagnetic field excitation of gas molecules, creating a fourth state of matter that produces reactive species through physical processes. This substitution eliminates the need for chemical ozone synthesis and its associated harmful byproducts, while achieving the same ethylene reduction goal through physical-chemical plasma reactions
2Object-affected harmful factors
If refrigeration and venting are used to prevent ethylene accumulation, then ethylene levels are controlled, but 10-20% of transported product is lost and energy costs are considerable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical refrigeration and venting systems with a plasma-based chemical treatment system. Instead of continuously cooling and venting the storage space, plasma is introduced into the gas circulation system to chemically convert ethylene to harmless substances. This substitution dramatically reduces energy consumption by eliminating the need for continuous refrigeration cycling and venting operations, while effectively controlling ethylene accumulation through targeted chemical reactions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful ethylene gas into beneficial harmless substances (carbon dioxide and water) through plasma oxidation. Rather than merely removing or containing ethylene through energy-intensive refrigeration and venting, the system actively transforms ethylene into useful end products, turning a harmful accumulation problem into a beneficial conversion process that reduces both ethylene levels and energy consumption
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
The plasma-based system effectively reduces ethylene levels without producing harmful byproducts, thereby extending the shelf life of perishable goods and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a plasma generating unit (22) configured to generate plasma and bring the circulating gas into contact with the plasma
Implementation Method 2
the plasma produced by the plasma generating unit incites the following chemical reaction in the gas that is brought into contact with the plasma: C2H4 + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 2H2O
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a reefer unit for transporting perishable goods, such as fruit, the reefer unit comprising a number of reefer unit walls enclosing a reefer inner space, a gas displacement unit that is operatively connected to the reefer inner space and is configured for displacing gas, at least one plasma generating unit that is operatively connected to the gas displacement unit and/or to the reefer inner space and that is configured to provide plasma to gas displaced by the gas displacement unit, wherein the reefer unit inner space, the gas displacement unit and the at least one plasma unit form a gas circulation system that is configured for circulating a gas flow in at least the reefer unit inner space. The invention also relates to a method for reducing ethylene in a reefer unit.