Abstract: A method is provided for operating an active controlled atmosphere (CA) system to regulate the atmosphere in a cargo storage space. The controlled atmosphere system comprises: a plurality of gas exchange modules, each being operable to vary the level of a respective component gas in the cargo storage space, and/or at least one gas exchange module operable in a plurality of different modes to vary the level of a respective component gas in the cargo storage space; and a control module configured to control operation of each gas exchange module according to a plurality of different predetermined atmospheric control logics. Each atmospheric control logic defines operational gas exchange modules and/or operational modes for use over respective operational ranges of atmospheric conditions, and each atmospheric control logic is configured to cause operation of a different combination of gas exchange modules and/or modes over a comparable operational range, independently of any setpoints for gas component levels.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an activated carbon scrubber apparatus 300 and a method of its operation for carbon dioxide (CO2) removal from a controlled environment. The scrubber apparatus is configured to switch between: an adsorption configuration in which it is configured to provide CO2-rich gas from the controlled environment to a sorbent bed 302 comprising activated carbon for CO2 adsorption, and to return the treated gas to the controlled environment; and a regeneration configuration in which it is configured to provide a regenerating gas from outside of the controlled environment to the sorbent bed to desorb CO2 and regenerate the activated carbon, and to discharge CO2-rich gas outside of the controlled environment. The method comprises alternately operating the scrubber apparatus in the adsorption configuration and the regeneration configuration over a plurality of cycles, wherein the scrubber apparatus is operated at a cycle frequency of between 4 and 30 cycles per hour.

Abstract: There is disclosed an environmental control system for thermally conditioning air within an enclosed space, the system comprising: a refrigerant circuit having a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an outdoor heat exchanger. The system comprises an exhaust flowpath having a first inlet for receiving an exhaust flow of thermally conditioned air from the enclosed space and an outlet for discharging the exhaust flow to an external environment. A heat transfer section of the outdoor heat exchanger is located in the exhaust flowpath, wherein the exhaust flowpath is for directing the exhaust flow of thermally conditioned air through the heat transfer section of the outdoor heat exchanger.

Abstract: There is disclosed an environmental control system for thermally conditioning air within an enclosed space comprising: a refrigerant circuit having a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an outdoor heat exchanger. The system further comprises an intake flowpath for directing an intake flow of fresh air to the enclosed space, wherein a heat-transfer section of the indoor heat exchanger is located within the intake flowpath to thermally condition the intake flow of fresh air before entering the enclosed space. The system further comprises an exhaust flowpath for directing an exhaust flow of thermally conditioned air to an external environment. A recovery heat exchanger is provided to transfer thermal energy between the exhaust flow and the intake flow at a location within the intake flowpath that is upstream of the heat-transfer section of the indoor heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a controlled atmosphere (CA) system to regulate the atmosphere in a cargo storage space. The CA system comprises a gas exchange module operable to vary the level of a component gas in the cargo storage space, a control module to control operation of the gas exchange module, and at least one of an oxygen sensor and a carbon dioxide sensor, each being operable to measure a parameter indicative of a level of oxygen or carbon dioxide respectively in the cargo storage space. The method comprises: the control module determining a respiration parameter value indicative of the rate of change of oxygen level and/or the rate of change of carbon dioxide level in the cargo storage space due to respiration of goods in the cargo storage space; and the control module controlling operation of the gas exchange module based on the determined respiration parameter value to target an oxygen level setpoint and/or a carbon dioxide level setpoint.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an activated carbon scrubber apparatus 300 and a method of its operation for carbon dioxide (CO2) removal from a controlled environment. The scrubber apparatus is configured to switch between: an adsorption configuration in which it is configured to provide CO2-rich gas from the controlled environment to a sorbent bed 302 comprising activated carbon for CO2 adsorption, and to return the treated gas to the controlled environment; and a regeneration configuration in which it is configured to provide a regenerating gas from outside of the controlled environment to the sorbent bed to desorb CO2 and regenerate the activated carbon, and to discharge CO2-rich gas outside of the controlled environment. The method comprises alternately operating the scrubber apparatus in the adsorption configuration and the regeneration configuration over a plurality of cycles, wherein the scrubber apparatus is operated at a cycle frequency of between 4 and 30 cycles per hour.

Abstract: There is disclosed a scrubber apparatus 300 for a refrigerated transport container 100 having a cargo space 105, comprising: a regenerating adsorber 302; a manifold 306, 308 in fluid communication with a first side of the adsorber, an interior gas port 318, 338 for fluid communication with interior gas in the cargo space and an exterior gas port 320, 340 for fluid communication with exterior gas outside of the cargo space; and a common actuator configured to actuate both an adsorption control damper 314, 334 for controlling selective fluid communication between the adsorber and interior gas, and a regeneration control damper 316, 336 for controlling selective fluid communication between the adsorber and exterior gas. There is also disclosed a scrubber apparatus 300 which is configured to heat interior gas provided to an adsorber for removal of a controlled gas. Methods of operating a scrubber apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A controlled atmosphere system for a cargo storage space, the system comprising a separation area for receiving atmospheric gas from the cargo storage space, a gas moving device arranged to move atmospheric gas from the cargo storage space into the separation area to thereby increase a pressure within the separation area, and a molecular sieve arranged in communication with the separation area, such that when the separation area is at an overpressure, selected molecules are vented out of the separation area through the molecular sieve.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a controlled atmosphere (CA) system to regulate the atmosphere in a cargo storage space. The CA system comprises a gas exchange module operable to vary the level of a component gas in the cargo storage space, a control module to control operation of the gas exchange module, and at least one of an oxygen sensor and a carbon dioxide sensor, each being operable to measure a parameter indicative of a level of oxygen or carbon dioxide respectively in the cargo storage space. The method comprises: the control module determining a respiration parameter value indicative of the rate of change of oxygen level and/or the rate of change of carbon dioxide level in the cargo storage space due to respiration of goods in the cargo storage space; and the control module controlling operation of the gas exchange module based on the determined respiration parameter value to target an oxygen level setpoint and/or a carbon dioxide level setpoint.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating an active controlled atmosphere (CA) system to regulate the atmosphere in a cargo storage space. The controlled atmosphere system comprises: a plurality of gas exchange modules, each being operable to vary the level of a respective component gas in the cargo storage space, and/or at least one gas exchange module operable in a plurality of different modes to vary the level of a respective component gas in the cargo storage space; and a control module configured to control operation of each gas exchange module according to a plurality of different predetermined atmospheric control logics. Each atmospheric control logic defines operational gas exchange modules and/or operational modes for use over respective operational ranges of atmospheric conditions, and each atmospheric control logic is configured to cause operation of a different combination of gas exchange modules and/or modes over a comparable operational range, independently of any setpoints for gas component levels.

Abstract: There is disclosed a scrubber apparatus 300 for a refrigerated transport container 100 having a cargo space 105, comprising: a regenerating adsorber 302; a manifold 306, 308 in fluid communication with a first side of the adsorber, an interior gas port 318, 338 for fluid communication with interior gas in the cargo space and an exterior gas port 320, 340 for fluid communication with exterior gas outside of the cargo space; and a common actuator configured to actuate both an adsorption control damper 314, 334 for controlling selective fluid communication between the adsorber and interior gas, and a regeneration control damper 316, 336 for controlling selective fluid communication between the adsorber and exterior gas. There is also disclosed a scrubber apparatus 300 which is configured to heat interior gas provided to an adsorber for removal of a controlled gas. Methods of operating a scrubber apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a refrigerated transport container 100 comprising: a cargo space 105 for containing an interior gas; a gas transfer membrane 230 configured to transfer component gases at different rates (such as carbon dioxide and oxygen), the gas transfer membrane having an interior side to receive interior gas from the cargo space 105 and an exterior side in communication with a gas exchange portion 250 of an exterior gas pathway 240; an air mover 244 configured to drive an exterior gas flow along the exterior gas pathway 240 for gas transfer over the membrane; and a flow controller 226 configured to selectively activate the air mover to control transfer of a controlled component gas across the gas transfer membrane. There is also disclosed a refrigerated transport container in which flow of exterior gas along an exterior gas pathway is heated prior to gas transfer at a membrane, and corresponding methods of operating a refrigerated transport container.

Abstract: A method for defrosting a heat exchanger of a refrigeration circuit is provided. The method includes monitoring a compressor suction parameter at a suction line to a compressor of the refrigeration circuit. The method also includes determining a compressor suction parameter threshold. Also, the method includes initiating a defrost mode of the refrigeration circuit when the compressor suction parameter is less than or equal to the compressor suction parameter threshold.

Abstract: A controlled atmosphere system for a cargo storage space, the system comprising a separation area for receiving atmospheric gas from the cargo storage space, a gas moving device arranged to move atmospheric gas from the cargo storage space into the separation area to thereby increase a pressure within the separation area, and a molecular sieve arranged in communication with the separation area, such that when the separation area is at an overpressure, selected molecules are vented out of the separation area through the molecular sieve.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining a desired carbon dioxide concentration within an interior space of a transport unit during transport are disclosed. The method includes determining the carbon dioxide concentration within the interior space; enabling a carbon dioxide injection system when the carbon dioxide concentration is not at a set point value; and disabling the carbon dioxide injection system when the carbon dioxide concentration is at the set point value.

Abstract: A method for defrosting a heat exchanger of a refrigeration circuit is provided. The method includes monitoring a compressor suction parameter at a suction line to a compressor of the refrigeration circuit. The method also includes determining a compressor suction parameter threshold. Also, the method includes initiating a defrost mode of the refrigeration circuit when the compressor suction parameter is less than or equal to the compressor suction parameter threshold.