The present invention provides a refrigerator, comprising: an adsorption container, an air compressor and a nitrogen storage tank. A sealed storage space is formed in a storage compartment of the refrigerator. The adsorption container with carbon molecular sieves disposed therein is disposed in the storage compartment. The air compressor is directly connected to the adsorption container through an air inlet pipe and configured to supply compressed air for the adsorption container in a controlled manner so as to allow the carbon molecular sieves to prepare nitrogen by means of the compressed air. A gas inlet end of the nitrogen storage tank is connected to the adsorption container, and a gas outlet end thereof is communicated with the storage space.

Food preservation can include depositing dry ice and food within packaging. The packaging can include a flexible liner defining a wall aperture and an internal chamber. The internal chamber can receive the deposited dry ice and food and have an internal atmosphere. The packaging can include a check valve mounted to the flexible liner and covering the wall aperture. The check valve can be configured to occupy: (i) a closed state blocking fluid communication between the internal chamber and ambient via the wall aperture and (ii) an open state enabling fluid flow from the internal chamber, through the wall aperture, and into ambient.

A food preservation system is provided. The system includes a storage cabinet for storing foods, an electrolytic gas generator, a gas sensor and a control unit. The electrolytic gas generator is in fluid communication with the storage cabinet to output a first gas and a second gas to preserve the foods. The gas sensor is arranged in the storage cabinet to detect the concentration of the gases in the storage cabinet for obtaining gas concentration information which includes a first gas concentration and a second gas concentration. The control unit is electrically connected to the electrolytic gas generator and the gas sensor. According to the received gas concentration information, the control unit adjusts the applied voltage of the electrolytic gas generator to control the gas species generated by the electrolytic gas generator and the first and second gas concentrations in the storage cabinet.

A food preservation system is provided. The system includes a storage cabinet for storing foods, an electrolytic gas generator, a gas sensor and a control unit. The electrolytic gas generator is in fluid communication with the storage cabinet to output a first gas and a second gas to preserve the foods. The gas sensor is arranged in the storage cabinet to detect the concentration of the gases in the storage cabinet for obtaining gas concentration information which includes a first gas concentration and a second gas concentration. The control unit is electrically connected to the electrolytic gas generator and the gas sensor. According to the received gas concentration information, the control unit adjusts the applied voltage of the electrolytic gas generator to control the gas species generated by the electrolytic gas generator and the first and second gas concentrations in the storage cabinet.

Methods of manufacturing a light-activated powder are provided which provide solid-state generation and release of chlorine dioxide without detectable amounts of any toxic by-products such as chlorine gas, chlorites, or chlorates. The powder need not be exposed to moisture, relative humidity, or an acid before or during exposure of the powder to visible light to generate the gas. The powder can also be prepared under conditions that minimize or prevent decomposition or oxidation of sodium chlorite or premature light activation of the powder during the manufacturing process to maximize its activity.

A phase change system and methods of making a phase change system are disclosed. A multiple phase change system is also disclosed. The system may include at least one phase change material and at least one chemical reactant encapsulated within the phase change material. The chemical reactant may react with another chemical reactant or the surrounding environment.

A method for designing a new product includes automatically identifying a plurality of components of stored products, wherein the plurality of components is associated with an existing component included in a design of the new product, automatically selecting a new component from among the plurality of components, wherein a relationship between the existing component and the new component optimizes a design objective for the new product, automatically adding the new component to the design for the new product, and iteratively repeating the identifying, the selecting, and the adding until a stopping criterion is met, wherein the design for the new product is complete when the stopping criterion is met.

A circulation chamber for a cargo container comprises a cargo container extension including a housing, a cargo container aperture, and an interior volume; the cargo container extension is structured and dimensioned to be attached to an opening of the cargo container, thereby placing the interior volume in fluid communication with an interior of the cargo container. The housing, cargo container aperture, and interior volume may be cooperatively structured and dimensioned to allow at least a portion of the cargo container to be disposed in sealing engagement with the cargo container aperture, and furthermore, allow, at least partially, a door of the cargo container to be open while the circulation chamber is attached to the cargo container.

A circulation chamber for a cargo container comprises a cargo container extension including a housing, a cargo container aperture, and an interior volume; the cargo container extension is structured and dimensioned to be attached to an opening of the cargo container, thereby placing the interior volume in fluid communication with an interior of the cargo container. The housing, cargo container aperture, and interior volume may be cooperatively structured and dimensioned to allow at least a portion of the cargo container to be disposed in sealing engagement with the cargo container aperture, and furthermore, allow, at least partially, a door of the cargo container to be open while the circulation chamber is attached to the cargo container.

A method for controlling an atmosphere in a space which is at least partially filled with agricultural or horticultural products comprises the steps of (a) measuring an amount of at least one metabolite such as acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate and/or ethanol produced by the products, (b) measuring at least one of (i) an amount of oxygen absorbed by the products and (ii) an amount of carbon dioxide produced by the products, (c) determining a relationship between the measured amount of the metabolite and the measured amount of oxygen and/or carbon dioxide, (d) analyzing the determined relationship to detect a potential onset of fermentation in the products and (e) selectively adjusting a level of at least one component of the atmosphere in the space on the basis of the analysis. An installation for carrying out this method is also claimed.