Storage Control Systems wanted a new carbon dioxide sensor for their high speed gas analyzer for modified atmosphere packaging of fruits and vegetables. They chose our GSS SprintIR CO2 sensor.
Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) is used to prolong the shelf life of fruits, vegetables and salads with a specific level of CO2 to keep the produce fresher for longer. The optimal level varies widely according to the product. On the production line, sample packs are taken at regular intervals and the CO2 levels checked by inserting a hollow needle into the pack and drawing out a sample of the gases for analysis.
However, standard CO2 sensors take several minutes to stabilize on a reading — during which time many bags can progress along a high-speed line. The longer the read time, the more bags are made with potentially the wrong CO2 level, which wastes product and money. In addition, packages that ship with the wrong CO2 levels can spoil before the use by date, resulting in claims against the producer by the supermarkets.
Storage Control Systems (SCS) wanted to create a portable gas analyzer that would provide an accurate CO2 reading in seconds, and only need a small sample volume. The sensor that they had been using in their products has a very high power consumption, which limits the operational life for a battery powered portable device, and was not fast enough in providing a reading for this application.
To achieve the performance specifications of the new class of analyzer that they wanted to create for MAP application, the company used a GSS SprintIR® infrared CO2 sensor.
The SprintIR® sensor can provide 20 readings per second from only a 3ml sample due to its patented design. This means that the analyzer only has to sample 30ml of gases in order for the sensor to obtain a clear reading of the gas composition. This amount is greater than that required by the actual sensor because of the volume of tubing used to obtain the sample gases that needs to be purged.
Another key benefit of using the GSS CO2 sensor is its very low power requirement (3.5mW). SprintIR® uses a specially developed LED as a light source for the NDIR absorption. It only needs a fraction of the power of competitor infrared CO2 sensors, so it can be easily battery powered.
Kevin Johnson, Production Manager at SCS, said, “Our customers told us that there was a market need for a new class of gas analyzer for MAP that could provide a reading within seconds, so that they can save money on the production line by taking swift corrective action when CO2 levels are outside the requirements. The innovative technology of the GSS sensor has enabled us to create a solution for this need that no other CO2 sensor could. The result is our Dual Gas Analyzer.”
Kevin went on to say that “The level of CO2 required for optimal shelf life varies according to the type of product being packaged. This analyzer measures levels of CO2 from 0 to 20% with great accuracy, ensuring that the use by date is achieved. Customers are so impressed with it that they are asking us to make a version that covers from 0 to 50%."
"GSS is helping us with this new design, and we have already received pre-production orders for this model. Having a GSS sensor at the heart of our new designs has enabled us to create the next generation of products to address a whole new market. We can now offer rapid response, handheld CO2 analyzers for Modified Atmosphere Packaging that are easy use and save customers money through improved quality control,” he said.
Being able to see just how sensor technologies play a vital role in applications such as modified atmospheric packaging, gives true insight to the field and the overall use in device. Aside from fresh produce, CO2Meter has also seen producers using CO2 handheld devices in food processing, packaging and meat preservation.
To ensure correct levels of O2 are present in a particular food manufacturer warehouse, regular checks increased the chance of error, and speed was crucial in overall production process.
About Gas Sensing Solutions (GSS)
Gas Sensing Solutions is a world leader in CO2 sensor design, manufacture and customization. Its disruptive technology uses proprietary, mid Infra-Red LED sensors to enable best-in-class records for fastest response times, lowest power consumption and longest product lifetime.
About Storage Control Systems (SCS)
Storage Control Systems manufactures and supplies gas analyzers and controlled atmosphere equipment for the fresh produce industry.