Reefer Container Ozone Monitoring for Ethylene Catalyst Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reefer containers face challenges in maintaining efficient ozone catalyst performance due to harsh temperature and humidity conditions, which can lead to unsafe ozone concentrations and damage to measurement equipment, making it difficult to control ethylene ripening in perishable goods.
Innovation Solution
A reefer container with an atmosphere-controlling system that includes ozone concentration measurement points upstream and midsection of the catalyst unit, allowing for calculation of catalyst efficiency and ozone reduction rate, using UV-based ozone sensors and a three-way valve for efficient ozone concentration monitoring and control, and a catalyst unit with MnO2 and CuO for ozone depletion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single high-precision ozone sensor is placed downstream of the catalyst to monitor safety, then accurate ozone concentration measurement is achieved, but the measurement equipment is damaged by harsh temperature and humidity conditions and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the catalyst unit into multiple sections with measuring points at different locations (upstream, midsection, downstream). This segmentation allows monitoring of ozone concentration at various stages without exposing a single sensor to the full range of harsh conditions and high ozone concentrations that would damage it.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces multiple measuring points as intermediaries between the ozone generation source and the downstream environment. These measuring points allow indirect monitoring of ozone concentration trends without requiring a single sensor to withstand extreme conditions, thereby protecting the measurement equipment.
2Reliability
If multiple high-precision ozone sensors are deployed throughout the catalyst unit, then comprehensive ozone concentration monitoring is achieved, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing measuring points at specific strategic locations (upstream, midsection, downstream of catalyst sections) rather than uniformly throughout. Each measuring point provides localized information about ozone concentration in its specific region, enabling comprehensive monitoring with a limited number of sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a partial action approach by monitoring ozone concentration at key intermediate points rather than continuously throughout the entire catalyst unit. This provides sufficient information to assess catalyst efficiency and ensure safety without the complexity of comprehensive continuous monitoring at every location.
3Reliability
If the catalyst efficiency is continuously monitored with high accuracy, then safe operation is ensured, but the system requires complex high-precision measurement equipment that is vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary monitoring of ozone concentration at upstream and midsection measuring points before the air reaches the downstream environment. This allows early detection of catalyst efficiency changes and potential safety issues without requiring sensors to be exposed to the full range of harsh conditions that would damage them.
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 system effectively maintains safe ozone levels downstream the catalyst, ensuring efficient ethylene reduction while reducing the need for high-precision ozone sensors, thus enhancing safety and reducing costs, and maintaining optimal catalyst performance across varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a catalyst unit arranged downstream the ethylene reduction unit, the catalyst unit being adapted to reduce a content of ozone generated during the reduction of ethylene
Implementation Method 2
using UV-based ozone sensors
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a reefer container for transporting and storing a plurality of produce at a predetermined temperature, the produce generating ethylene and other organic compounds during transport and storage, said reefer container comprising a substantially closed room having an atmosphere, a cooling device for maintaining the room at the predetermined temperature, and an atmosphere-controlling system for controlling the atmosphere in the room of the reefer container, the atmosphere-controlling system comprising a system inlet (161) and a system outlet (162), a flow direction of an airstream being defined between the system inlet and the system outlet, a fan (160) arranged at the system outlet, an ethylene reduction unit (100) for reducing a content of ethylene of the atmosphere in the room, a catalyst unit (150) arranged downstream the ethylene reduction unit, the catalyst unit being adapted to reduce a content of ozone generated during the reduction of ethylene, the catalyst unit having a catalyst inlet (153), a catalyst outlet (154) and a catalyst midsection (155) arranged substantially between the catalyst inlet and catalyst outlet, and a control unit (200), wherein a first measuring point (103) is arranged upstream the catalyst inlet and a second measuring point (151) is arranged at the catalyst midsection, the first measuring point and the second measuring point being connected with at least a first ozone sensor (170) so that via the first measuring point a first ozone concentration of the air before the air enters the catalyst unit can be measured, and via the second measuring point a second ozone concentration of the air present in the catalyst midsection of the catalyst unit can be measured, the first ozone sensor being connected with the control unit, and wherein the first ozone concentration is compared to the second ozone concentration in the control unit in order to calculate the expected ozone concentration of the air downstream the catalyst unit. Further, the present invention relates to a method for measuring an ozone concentration in an airstream in a reefer container according to the present invention.