Method and apparatus for preserving agricultural products

摘要

Preserving agricultural produce in a gas atmosphere in a closed container comprises subjecting the gas atmosphere to photocatalytic oxidation under turbulent flow conditions. An independent claim is also included for apparatus for preserving agricultural produce in a gas atmosphere, comprising a closed container containing the gas atmosphere; a gas extraction and cooling system; a UV or visible light source; a reactor that is located within the container and has baffles for creating a turbulent flow zone and a catalyst coating on the baffles or other supports, where the catalyst is capable of oxidizing growth-accelerating contaminants under the action of light from the source and is located in the turbulent flow zone; and a channel for forcing gas from the extraction and cooling system to the inlet of the reactor.