Food sustainability by designing and modelling a membrane controlled atmosphere storage system

Kok Lin Chong, Na Peng, Hang Yin, G. Glenn Lipscomb, Tai Shung Chung*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    20 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    In this study, an innovative food storage system based on green membrane technology is evaluated for food preservation. This is the first study of hollow fiber membrane modules in a controlled atmosphere storage (CAS) system to maintain an environment that prolongs the lifespan of fruits and vegetables during transportation and storage. Compared to conventional CAS systems that utilize nitrogen flushing, the proposed membrane controlled atmosphere storage (MCAS) system provides a nitrogen-enriched air stream to control the concentration of both oxygen and carbon dioxide in the storage container. Detailed mathematical models to describe mixed gas permeation in a hollow fiber membrane module and guide system design are developed. The performance of MCAS systems under on-off and continuous operation modes is evaluated and a case study of the newly developed MCAS system in food transportation presented.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)361-374
    Number of pages14
    JournalJournal of Food Engineering
    Volume114
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 2013

    Bibliographical note

    Funding Information:
    The authors would like to thank A∗Star for their support through the project entitled “Gas Membrane Technology” (Grant No. R-279-000-312-592). The authors would also like to express their appreciations to Mr. C.H. Lau, Mr. M. Askari, Mr. S.J. Chiao, Mr. S.P. Sun, Mr. P. Sukitpaneenit and Ms. M.L. Chua for their valuable suggestions to this work.

    Keywords

    • Controlled atmosphere storage
    • Hollow fiber membrane module
    • Modelling
    • Permeation

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Food Science

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Food sustainability by designing and modelling a membrane controlled atmosphere storage system'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this