Introduction Controlled atmosphere (CA) storage technologies extend the shelf life of agricultural products by precisely regulating oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations, utilizing devices such as nitrogen (N2) generators, CO2 scrubbers, and ethylene (C2H4) scrubbers. Purpose This study aims to analyze the gas regulation characteristics of a CA storage room, focusing on the efficiencies of gas control equipment under various operational conditions. Specifically, the efficiencies of O2, CO2, and C2H4 removal mechanisms in a CA storage system were investigated, with emphasis on the impact on gas exchange processes and storage stability. Methods Experiments were conducted in an airtight CA storage room (12.4 m3) under controlled conditions, with manipulation of O2, CO2, and C₂H₄ concentrations. The pull-down time for O2 reduction was measured to evaluate gas control efficiency, and the effects of CO2 and C2H4 removal processes were assessed under different operational modes. Results The N2 supply flow rate significantly influenced the completion time for gas regulation; higher flow rates (3 Nm3/h versus 1 Nm3/h) reduced regulation time by 49.8%. The reduction of O2 concentration from 5 to 2% constituted over 50% of the total gas regulation time. Operation of the CO2 scrubber in conjunction with the N2 generator decreased gas regulation time by 26.2% compared to the N2 generator in purge-only mode. The C2H4 scrubber demonstrated selective ethylene removal without affecting O2 and CO2 concentrations, achieving complete removal of 7.6 ppm within 3.1 h across different atmospheric compositions. Conclusions This study provides fundamental data for optimizing CA storage conditions, thereby contributing to the maintenance of a stable storage environment for postharvest agricultural products. Future research should focus on integrating real-time gas monitoring systems to further refine storage conditions and improve energy efficiency.

Analysis of Gas Regulation Characteristics for Controlled Atmosphere Storage Operation

期刊论文
发表日期：

2026年2月24日

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Min-Jee Kim,
Dong Soo Choi,
Yong Hun Kim,
Chun Wan Park

摘要

Introduction

Controlled atmosphere (CA) storage technologies extend the shelf life of agricultural products by precisely regulating oxygen (O₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations, utilizing devices such as nitrogen (N₂) generators, CO₂ scrubbers, and ethylene (C₂H₄) scrubbers.

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the gas regulation characteristics of a CA storage room, focusing on the efficiencies of gas control equipment under various operational conditions. Specifically, the efficiencies of O₂, CO₂, and C₂H₄ removal mechanisms in a CA storage system were investigated, with emphasis on the impact on gas exchange processes and storage stability.

Methods

Experiments were conducted in an airtight CA storage room (12.4 m³) under controlled conditions, with manipulation of O₂, CO₂, and C₂H₄ concentrations. The pull-down time for O₂ reduction was measured to evaluate gas control efficiency, and the effects of CO₂ and C₂H₄ removal processes were assessed under different operational modes.

Results

The N₂ supply flow rate significantly influenced the completion time for gas regulation; higher flow rates (3 Nm³/h versus 1 Nm³/h) reduced regulation time by 49.8%. The reduction of O₂ concentration from 5 to 2% constituted over 50% of the total gas regulation time. Operation of the CO₂ scrubber in conjunction with the N₂ generator decreased gas regulation time by 26.2% compared to the N₂ generator in purge-only mode. The C₂H₄ scrubber demonstrated selective ethylene removal without affecting O₂ and CO₂ concentrations, achieving complete removal of 7.6 ppm within 3.1 h across different atmospheric compositions.

Conclusions

This study provides fundamental data for optimizing CA storage conditions, thereby contributing to the maintenance of a stable storage environment for postharvest agricultural products. Future research should focus on integrating real-time gas monitoring systems to further refine storage conditions and improve energy efficiency.