Controlled Atmosphere Storage System for Horticultural Research

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Appalachian Fruit Research Station (AFRS) requires a Controlled Atmosphere Storage System. This system will be retrofitted into existing cold rooms to create, maintain, and monitor precise atmospheric environments for postharvest research and analysis of fruit samples. The system is crucial for evaluating the storage potential of new fruit varieties under commercial storage conditions. The system must be modular and independent, allowing for separate atmospheric control in each chamber. It needs automated atmosphere control with integrated sensors for O2 and CO2, capable of closed-loop adjustments and data logging. The chambers must be hermetically sealed and constructed from durable, clear materials, designed to be compatible with existing cold rooms operating between 0-4 degrees Celsius. Key performance characteristics include precise control of O2 (0.1%-30%) and CO2 (0%-30%) concentrations with an accuracy of at least +-0.2%, an intuitive user interface for operation, and safety alarms for deviations.