Carbon di:oxide absorption from controlled atmos. for e.g. fruit - employs two absorption vessels alternatively for absorption and backwashing

摘要

The installation comprises two absorption vessels, each with a three-way valve on both inlet and outlet. The two vessels are piped via their three-way valves to a blower which can draw gas from the cabinet(s) and pass the gas alternately through each of the absorbers to remove carbon dioxide. Pref. the three-way valves of the absorption vessels are piped also to a second blower. The second blower can then backwash alternately each of the absorption vessels while the other is engaged in absorption duty. Pref. before switching over from one absorption/backwash cycle to the next, the first blower only is employed with a valve arrangement providing a closed circuit isolated from atmos. and the cabinet(s). The closed circuit ducts a current from the blower through both vessels and combines the outflow from both vessels in the blower intakes. The absorption vessel which is next to go on line has just been back-flushed with air and contains about 20.8 per cent oxygen. The other vessel about to come off duty contains about 3 per cent oxygen. Inter-cycle mixing of the gas contents of the two absorbers reduces oxygen being returned to the prod.