Addressing the challenges of transporting perishable goods

8th March 2017

SST Sensing

Enaie Azambuja

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In order to lengthen their storage life, fruit and vegetables are often transported inside refrigerated containers where a controlled atmosphere (with reduced oxygen content) has been applied. Instrumental in maintaining this is the acquisition of accurate data concerning the oxygen levels present on an ongoing basis. As a recognised specialist in advanced oxygen monitoring technology, SST Sensing has numerous products in its portfolio that are targeted at this specific application.

The company is able to supply complete solutions for quick and simple installation. Alternatively, it can offer component parts that are easy to retrofit into existing systems. Delivering elevated performance parameters is SST’s flagship Zicronia based offering.

These products utilise the company’s own proprietary technology, which results in improved precision and prolonged operation (as they do not become depleted) compared to conventional oxygen sensors on the market, as well as avoiding the inconvenience of using a reference gas. Furthermore, such devices are not prone to sensor drift over time, which means they do not need regular recalibration.

Achieving a 0.01% O2 measurement resolution with less than ± 0.5% repeatability, the highly sophisticated OXY-COMM oxygen analyser consists of one of these sensor devices accompanied by all the necessary supporting electronics, a fault tolerant RS485 serial interface and a die-cast aluminium housing (which is fully IP65 compliant). This presents customers with a comprehensive monitoring subsystem, featuring built-in diagnostic capabilities that safeguard against erroneous measurement data.

Targeted at cost sensitive system designs, SST’s LuminOx range of oxygen sensors employ an innovative optoelectronics mechanism that allows them to serve as a suitable alternative for electrochemical based devices, while providing considerable performance, logistical and ecological advantages.

These devices exhibit 2% full scale accuracy, thereby outperforming any other oxygen sensor in their price bracket by a sizeable margin. An RS232 interface facilities integration. This means that they can supply an output direct to the connected system without any need for additional signal processing or data translation.

Unlike competing electrochemical oxygen sensors, they do not contain any hazardous materials (so there are no issues associated with disposal). They also have significantly longer operational lifespans (at least 5 years).

“Being able to mitigate the perishing of food products by reducing their exposure to oxygen is of huge importance to suppliers. This allows them to minimise the losses that occur during storage and transportation processes and thus makes their business operations more profitable,” comments Paddy Shannon, Technical Director at SST Sensing.

“Thanks to our breadth of expertise in oxygen sensing, and the unique technologies we have developed, SST is better positioned than any of its rivals to attend to this type of activity. Consequently, we are working with many of the world’s leading names in shipping and freight transportation.”