CONTROLLED

ATMOSPHERE SYSTEM
What is Controlled Atmosphere?
• Controlled Atmosphere:
– The control of the chemical composition of the
atmosphere surrounding a commodity by the
continual addition or removal of gases.
• Modified Atmosphere:
– The one time surrounding of a commodity with
a mixture of calibrated gases prior to shipment.
 CA History

1950 1966 1987 1998

Apple Modified Controlled

Storage Atmosphere Atmosphere
 History
1987 1992 1994 1997

5 units Series 1 Series 2 Series 3

25 units 107 units Production
starts
 Gas Composition
Normal Atmosphere Typical Desired Atmosphere
Nitrogen 78% Nitrogen 96%

Carbon Carbon
Dioxide .03% Dioxide 2%

Oxygen 2%
Oxygen 21%
 Respiration
Heat

Oxygen
21% + Sugar Carbon
Dioxide
Reduces Respiration

O2
 Respiration and Oxygen
Respiration

125%
100%
75%
Rate

50%
25%
0%
2 4 6 8 10 12
% Oxygen
 Effects on Produce
• Reduces respiration
– Ethylene production retarded
– higher natural sugar content.
• Retards senescence (ripening / aging)
– associated softening and compositional changes.
• Alleviates certain physiological storage disorders.
• Retards some pathogens and consequential decay.
• Provides insect control.
Retards Senescence
Insect And Pathogen Control
 Ethylene - C2H4
• Produce generated ripening hormone
• Accelerates senescence - plant breakdown
• Diluted by adding nitrogen
• Absorbed naturally by potassium permanganate
• Scrubber available from CTD
Controlled Atmosphere Benefits
• Permits longer tree ripening
• Better product quality at final destination
• Less spoilage during transport
• Broader range of cargo can be shipped
• Permits extended post harvest shipping and
storage times
 SAFETY
Modified and Controlled Atmosphere
• 15 - 19% O2- Co-ordination impaired
• 12 - 14% O2- Perception and judgement impaired
• 10 - 12% O2- Performance failure, poor judgement
- Onset of Cyanosis
• 8 - 10% O2- Mental failure, unconsciousness
• 6 - 8% O2- 100% fatal after 8 minutes exposure
• 4% - Coma in 40secs, convulsions, death
 SAFETY DETAILS
• Never assume the atmosphere is safe
• Vent before entering
– 20 minutes minimum
– Remain clear of open doors
– Remain clear of air vents
– Even if safe yesterday
• Work in pairs when entering
• Modified Atmosphere
• Controlled Atmosphere Units
 System Features
• Integrated within CTD’s proven reefer unit
• Utilizes membrane separator technology
• Operates anywhere without additional
support technicians or trucks
• No schedule delays waiting for service
• No additional usage charges or fees
• Creates and accurately maintains :
– Oxygen 1 to 21%
– Carbon Dioxide 0 to 25%
• Automated Pretrip checks:
• Integral safety lock
• Internal oilless air compressor
• Membrane protected by two filters
• Uses the Micro-Link 2 controller
– Easy to use
– Identical operation logic
– Possesses self diagnostics
– Built in alarm indicators
– Requires only software change
– Uses same keypad and display (except for text)
• High N2 output reduces leakage requirements
• Improves pulldown times.
• CA uses the Reefer Datacorder.
• Design uses common parts to minimize spares
• Low weight : <70 kg (150 lbs)
• Low power draw: 1.9 kw maximum
• Removes Ethylene (Optional Scrubber)
 General Operation 1
• Carry out Reefer PTI test
• Carry out Air Leakage Test
• Carry out CA PTI
• Attach Ethylene Scrubber (If required)
• Set Reefer Temperature Set point
• Set O2 and CO2 Set point
 General Operation 2
• Attach CO2 bottles internally (If required)
• Pick and pack premium cargo
• Fit rear door curtain
• Start Reefer and CA units
• Attach external CO2 bottles (If required)
• Ensure temperature pulls down
• Ensure CA starts and pulls down
N2
O2 CO2
CO2

O2 CO2
Overview
 Membrane
• Oxygen permeability (polymer specific)
• Selectivity - The ratio of oxygen to nitrogen
permeability (polymer specific)
• Surface area
• Pressure differential across the membrane wall
 Safety Door Lock

• Locks when O2 is less than19.8%

• Unlocks when O2 is greater than 20.3%
• Has manual override
Safety Door Lock
• The operator inputs O2 and CO2 setpoints.
• The system compares to actual levels.
• Then uses one of three modes
• Nitrogen addition
• Oxygen addition
• Null
• The nitrogen mixes with existing box atmosphere
– Creating a slight positive pressure
– Compensates for normal box leakage.
• Continues until the set points are achieved
• Unit into Null mode
• External CO2 is required if CO2 respiration is low
 Successful Shipments
Product From To Results

Beans Dakar Rotterdam Good

Melons Dakar Rotterdam Good

Tomatoes Morrocco Montreal Good

Pineapples Ghana Rotterdam Very Good

Bananas Gen. Santos Hong Kong Excellent

• CA is not a panacea
• Control is paramount
• Preparation and packaging controlled
• Temperature controlled
• Atmosphere controlled
• CA Cannot improve produce
• Decreases senescence rate
• Not all product is equal