Control of fruit ripening by atmosphere control - using molecular sieve bed with pressure swings to adjust oxygen content of storage container

摘要

The O2 and N2 components in an air mixture are adjusted inside a closed storage space. This done by an adsorption-desorption process with changing gas pressure. An air mixt. from atmosphere or from the storage space is compressed and pumped into an adsorber vessel. At least part of the excess pressure is then released by venting the O2 rich mixt. to atmos. The residual gas is then removed by partial evacuation and pumping to a second adsorber. The process is continued until the required level of O2 to N2 is achieved. This mixt. is then pumped into the storage space. Used to reduce the O2 content in stores, silos, containers, ship holds, etc. When fruit, grain or other foodstuffs are being stored. Allows for prolonged keeping of fruit, vegetables, wheat, seeds, nuts, plant parts, flowers, meat, fat and eggs, without the use of fuels to generate low O2 gas. This is done in short time and allows the produce to be safely transported by sea, rail or road.