Control of atmosphere within a closed environment

摘要

A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling a concentration of carbon dioxide in a gaseous atmosphere within a closed environment of a refrigerated transport container to maintain the concentration of carbon dioxide therein at a desired level. A carbon dioxide scrubber apparatus operates alternately in an adsorption mode and a regeneration mode. When a perishable produce is stowed in the closed environment, for example in a cargo box of a refrigerated transport container, the concentration of carbon dioxide may be maintain at a desired level to retard ripening of the perishable produce.

主权项

1. A regenerative scrubber system for removing carbon dioxide from an atmosphere within a closed environment of a refrigerated container for transport of perishable produce, comprising:
at least one scrubber apparatus housing a porous mass of a carbon dioxide adsorbent material, the scrubber apparatus defining a flow path through the scrubber apparatus traversing the porous mass of a carbon dioxide adsorbent material; a scrubber system bypass providing a bypass flow path excluding the at least one scrubber apparatus, the scrubber system bypass including a bypass flow control device to control flow between the flow path through the scrubber apparatus and the bypass flow path; and a controller for selectively (i) directing a gas from the atmosphere within the closed environment along said flow path and to a heat exchanger during operation in an adsorption mode, and (ii) selectively directing air from outside the closed environment along said flow path and directing gas from the atmosphere within the closed environment along the bypass flow path to the heat exchanger during operation in a regeneration mode.