Cold Storage Project

Controlled atmosphere storage is a system for holding produce  in an  atmosphere  that  differs substantially from  normal  air  in respect  to  CO 2 and O2  levels. Controlled  atmosphere  storage refers to  the constant monitoring and adjustment of the CO2  and O2  levels within gas tight stores or containers. The gas mixture will constantly change due to metabolic activity of the respiring fruits  and vegetables in the store and leakage of gases  through doors  and walls. The gases are therefore measured   periodically and  adjusted  to the  predetermined  level  by the  introduction of fresh air or nitrogen or  passing the store atmosphere through a chemical to remove CO2. There are different types of controlled atmosphere  storage depending mainly on the method or  degree  of  control  of the gases. Some researchers prefer to use  the  terms static  controlled  atmosphere storage  and  flushed   controlled  atmosphere   storage to  define  the two  most  commonly   used  systems.    Static  is   where   the   product   generates    the atmosphere  and flushed is where the atmosphere is  supplied from a  flowing  gas  stream, which  purges  the  store  continuously.