ISHS Acta Horticulturae 116: Symposium on Postharvest Handling of Vegetables
ATMOSPHERE CONTROL IN CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE STORAGE ROOMS BY MEANS OF CONTROLLED DIFFUSION THROUGH AIR-FILLED CHANNELS |
| Author: | H. Baugerød |
| Abstract:
The steady state gas composition in a controlled atmosphere (CA) storage room is determined by the amount of products, the respiration rate, the respiratory quotient (RQ), and the rate of exchange of gases between the storage room and the surroundings, and between the storage room and the scrubber. The exchange of gases takes place by mass flow, i.e. ventilation or leakage, or by diffusion, either through permeable membranes or through air-filled channels. In rooms which are sufficiently air-tight, the necessary exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen van be achieved by means of fibre-filled channels of varying cross-sectional area through the walls of the room, and also connecting the room with a vessel containing a CO2- absorbing material. The size of the channels can be calculated by means of special formulae. A system based on these principles has been in operation throughout several storage seasons in a storage room of 10 m3 capacity. The atmospheric composition remains constant for several weeks without adjustments, and is insensitive to changes in barometric pressure and cyclic fluctuations in the temperature in the storage room. The system also functions as a perfect pressure equalizing valve. | |
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