Abstract: An improved system and method for evaluating stored agricultural or horticultural commodities is provided. The system and method generally include performing atmospheric measurements within multiple controlled atmosphere rooms, or sampling enclosures coupled to controlled atmosphere rooms, and determining a change over time of a respiratory value of the commodities stored therein. Based on the change over time of the respiratory value, the system and method selects commodities from among at least one of the controlled atmosphere rooms for delivery, marketing, storage, or other disposition.

Abstract: An improved system and method for evaluating stored agricultural or horticultural commodities is provided. The system and method generally include performing atmospheric measurements within multiple controlled atmosphere rooms, or sampling enclosures coupled to controlled atmosphere rooms, and determining a change over time of a respiratory value of the commodities stored therein. Based on the change over time of the respiratory value, the system and method selects commodities from among at least one of the controlled atmosphere rooms for delivery, marketing, storage, or other disposition.

Abstract: A multi-use system for influencing organic matter in an environmentally controlled room is provided with a modular dehumidification system. The modular dehumidification system includes a head unit, with separate cooling and heating subcircuits, and multiple modular dehumidifier units. Each modular dehumidifier unit has a cooling coil operable to cool and/or dehumidify the air and a heating coil operable to heat the air, for example, to raise room temperature and/or offset heat loss arising during dehumidification. The cooling coils are connected to the head unit in parallel to one another and the heating coils are connected to the head unit in parallel to one another. The number of modular dehumidifier units installed in the system is selected to provide the system with the desired maximum capacity. The control system may be configured to activate the appropriate number of cooling and heating coils, and to control the operation of each active coil.

Abstract: A method of preparing a flowering plant product in hypobarically- and hypoxically-controlled atmospheres is disclosed. The method includes providing a simulated high-altitude controlled atmosphere (SHACA) room having a chamber, a plant support structure disposed within the chamber, and a microclimate control system operable to establish and maintain within the chamber a simulated high-altitude environment having an oxygen (O2) partial pressure of less than 20 kRa and, optionally, an overall pressure of less than 97 kPa. The method also includes disposing a flowering plant on the plant support structure, and exposing the flowering plant to the simulated high-altitude environment within the chamber. A simulated high-altitude CA room for cultivating and processing flowering plants in a hypobaric and hypoxic atmosphere is also provided.

Abstract: An improved system and method for evaluating stored agricultural or horticultural commodities is provided. The system and method generally include performing atmospheric measurements within multiple controlled atmosphere rooms, or sampling enclosures coupled to controlled atmosphere rooms, and determining a change over time of a respiratory value of the commodities stored therein. Based on the change over time of the respiratory value, the system and method selects commodities from among at least one of the controlled atmosphere rooms for delivery, marketing, storage, or other disposition.

Abstract: A multi-use system for influencing organic matter in an environmentally controlled room is provided with a modular dehumidification system. The modular dehumidification system includes a head unit, with separate cooling and heating subcircuits, and multiple modular dehumidifier units. Each modular dehumidifier unit has a cooling coil operable to cool and/or dehumidify the air and a heating coil operable to heat the air, for example, to raise room temperature and/or offset heat loss arising during dehumidification. The cooling coils are connected to the head unit in parallel to one another and the heating coils are connected to the head unit in parallel to one another. The number of modular dehumidifier units installed in the system is selected to provide the system with the desired maximum capacity. The control system may be configured to activate the appropriate number of cooling and heating coils, and to control the operation of each active coil.

Abstract: An improved system and method for evaluating stored agricultural or horticultural commodities is provided. The system and method generally include performing atmospheric measurements within multiple controlled atmosphere rooms, or sampling enclosures coupled to controlled atmosphere rooms, and determining a change over time of a respiratory value of the commodities stored therein. Based on the change over time of the respiratory value, the system and method selects commodities from among at least one of the controlled atmosphere rooms for delivery, marketing, storage, or other disposition.

Abstract: A pressure/vacuum relief system having one or more pressure relief/vacuum valve assemblies disposed within the controlled atmosphere room and a vent pipe to provide two-way fluid communication between the relief valve assembly and the outside environment. The relief valve assembly may be a split valve arrangement that includes a pressure valve that opens in response to positive pressure in the controlled atmosphere room and a vacuum valve that opens response to negative pressure in the controlled atmosphere room. The pressure and vacuum valves may be incorporated into a single valve body on opposite sides of a shared chamber that is coupled to the vent pipe. In one embodiment, the vent pipe is fitted through an external wall of the controlled atmosphere room.

Abstract: A control system for a controlled atmosphere room (“CA room”) for storing perishable commodities, such as fruits and vegetables. The control system includes an enclosure that can be placed within the CA room to store a representative sample of the commodities in the CA room. The control system includes an atmosphere valve selectively operable to provide atmospheric communication between the enclosure and the CA room or to isolate the enclosure from the CA room. The control system includes a sampling control system for determining a dynamic control value based on the isolated representative sample. The dynamic control value may be determined by monitoring the respiratory quotient in the enclosure while it is isolated. Once determined, the control system can use the dynamic control value to adjust the atmosphere of the CA room, thereby using tests on a representative sample to control the atmosphere for the full volume of commodities in the CA room.

Abstract: A pressure control system for a CA room including a bladder and an active displacement control that are operable to control the internal pressure of the CA room through variations in displacement. The system may include a controller configured to vary the displacement of the bladder based on the difference between barometric pressure and CA room internal pressure. The system may control bladder displacement based on the output of a differential pressure sensor that measures the pressure differential between the CA room and barometric pressure, or the output of separate internal and external sensors that separately measure CA room pressure and barometric pressure. The bladder may be an inflatable bladder and the active displacement control may inflate and deflate the bladder to vary its displacement within the CA room. The active displacement control may include an active air supply with a blower that can quickly inflate and deflate the bladder.

Abstract: A pressure/vacuum relief system having one or more pressure relief/vacuum valve assemblies disposed within the controlled atmosphere room and a vent pipe to provide two-way fluid communication between the relief valve assembly and the outside environment. The relief valve assembly may be a split valve arrangement that includes a pressure valve that opens in response to positive pressure in the controlled atmosphere room and a vacuum valve that opens response to negative pressure in the controlled atmosphere room. The pressure and vacuum valves may be incorporated into a single valve body on opposite sides of a shared chamber that is coupled to the vent pipe. In one embodiment, the vent pipe is fitted through an external wall of the controlled atmosphere room.

Abstract: A control system for a controlled atmosphere room (“CA room”) for storing perishable commodities, such as fruits and vegetables. The control system includes an enclosure that can be placed within the CA room to store a representative sample of the commodities in the CA room. The control system includes an atmosphere valve selectively operable to provide atmospheric communication between the enclosure and the CA room or to isolate the enclosure from the CA room. The control system includes a sampling control system for determining a dynamic control value based on the isolated representative sample. The dynamic control value may be determined by monitoring the respiratory quotient in the enclosure while it is isolated. Once determined, the control system can use the dynamic control value to adjust the atmosphere of the CA room, thereby using tests on a representative sample to control the atmosphere for the full volume of commodities in the CA room.

Abstract: A control system for a controlled atmosphere room (“CA room”) for storing perishable commodities, such as fruits and vegetables. The control system includes an enclosure that can be placed within the CA room to store a representative sample of the commodities in the CA room. The control system includes an atmosphere valve selectively operable to provide atmospheric communication between the enclosure and the CA room or to isolate the enclosure from the CA room. The control system includes a sampling control system for determining a dynamic control value based on the isolated representative sample. The dynamic control value may be determined by monitoring the respiratory quotient in the enclosure while it is isolated. Once determined, the control system can use the dynamic control value to adjust the atmosphere of the CA room, thereby using tests on a representative sample to control the atmosphere for the full volume of commodities in the CA room.

Abstract: A nitrogen-flush scrubber system for a controlled atmosphere room in which the amount of nitrogen required to flush the regenerated scrubber beds is significantly reduced. The present invention provides a dual-bed scrubber system in which low oxygen air salvaged from the active scrubber bed is used to flush high oxygen air from the regenerated scrubber bed prior to nitrogen flush. The scrubber system may include two scrubber beds that are used alternately to scrub air from the CA room. One scrubber bed is used as an active scrubber bed to remove carbon dioxide from the air. The inactive scrubber bed may be regenerated while it is inactive. When the active scrubber bed becomes sufficiently saturated, the control system may switch the active scrubber bed, using the regenerated bed as the active scrubber bed and allowing the saturated bed to be regenerated.

Abstract: A nitrogen-flush scrubber system for a controlled atmosphere room in which the amount of nitrogen required to flush the regenerated scrubber beds is significantly reduced. The present invention provides a dual-bed scrubber system in which low oxygen air salvaged from the active scrubber bed is used to flush high oxygen air from the regenerated scrubber bed prior to nitrogen flush. The scrubber system may include two scrubber beds that are used alternately to scrub air from the CA room. One scrubber bed is used as an active scrubber bed to remove carbon dioxide from the air. The inactive scrubber bed may be regenerated while it is inactive. When the active scrubber bed becomes sufficiently saturated, the control system may switch the active scrubber bed, using the regenerated bed as the active scrubber bed and allowing the saturated bed to be regenerated. Before switching, the regenerated bed is purged to reduce the oxygen level, which increased during regeneration.

Abstract: A control system for a controlled atmosphere room (“CA room”) for storing perishable commodities, such as fruits and vegetables. The control system includes an enclosure that can be placed within the CA room to store a representative sample of the commodities in the CA room. The control system includes an atmosphere valve selectively operable to provide atmospheric communication between the enclosure and the CA room or to isolate the enclosure from the CA room. The control system includes a sampling control system for determining a dynamic control value based on the isolated representative sample. The dynamic control value may be determined by monitoring the respiratory quotient in the enclosure while it is isolated. Once determined, the control system can use the dynamic control value to adjust the atmosphere of the CA room, thereby using tests on a representative sample to control the atmosphere for the full volume of commodities in the CA room.