Project
Title
Model-based electronic control device for storage and transport of fresh produce under modified O2 and CO2 atmosphere
Acronym
iBox
Start
01.11.2022
End
31.10.2025
Coordinating Institute
Leibniz-Institut für Agrartechnik und Bioökonomie e.V. (ATB)
Coordinator
Project team ATB
Allocated to research program
Summary
The aim of this research is to develop a model-based electronic gas control system/device for storing and transporting fresh produce under modified O2 and CO2 atmospheres. The development of such an intelligent box will involve the use of an electronic device that will actively and/or passively modify the gas concentration inside the container in response to temperature. In the iBox project, a control strategy is will be developed based on a mathematical model that correlates indirectly with the respiration rate of the fresh produce. The model will take into account the variability in produce, air diffusion through blower-tube, and storage parameters, which are sensitive to model output. Live sensor data will be implanted into the models for real time prediction of O2, CO2. This includes the use of thermocouples connected to a controller for temperature measurement. The temperature will be measured and monitored continuously and the disturbance in temperature will detected well in advance, before it changes the atmosphere inside the container in a critical way due to the high rate of respiration of the stored products, so that a corrective action can be taken. The response will fed to the mathematical model and thereafter to the control unit. Control unit operates the air blower and regulates the air inside the container by means of exchange between the atmosphere inside and outside. The ultimate goal is to bring together the model and the live sensor data, which will mimic a digital twin of the storage and transport without the use of expensive gas sensors.
Funding
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
Funding agency
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
Funding framework
Netaji Subhas - ICAR International Fellowship (NS-ICARIF) 2021-22, India