Cooled storing system for photo catalytic decomposition of ethylene

Abstract

A cooled storing system for photo catalytic decomposition of ethylene is a reefer container or a refrigerator with a cooling unit including an evaporator, the surface of which is at least partly coated in TiO.sub.2. A UV-source is arranged so that light emitted therefrom falls on the surface provided with TiO.sub.2, whereby an active surface for photo catalysis is provided. When in use, an airflow created inside the system passes over the photocatalytic surface permitting decomposition of organic compounds such as ethylene present therein.

Claims

1. A cooled storing system in the form of a reefer container or refrigerator comprising a storing compartment and a cooling compartment in communication via channels through which air circulates between said compartments, said cooling compartment comprising a cooling unit comprising an evaporator and at least one UV-source, wherein TiO.sub.2 is provided on a material selected from the group comprising glass wool, rock wool and steel wool and wherein said material is provided on at least part of at least one surface of the evaporator and wherein said at least one UV-source is arranged so that light emitted therefrom falls on said surface provided with TiO.sub.2, wherein said cooled reefer or refrigerator further comprises means for providing an airflow inside said reefer or refrigerator, said cooled storing reefer container or refrigerator being adapted to decompose ethylene by a photo catalytic decomposition.

2. The cooled storing reefer container or refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising at least one device with at least one surface, wherein at least part of the surface of the device is provided with TiO.sub.2 and wherein said device is arranged so that light emitted from said at least one UV-source falls on said surface of the device provided with TiO.sub.2.

3. The cooled storing reefer container or refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein said TiO.sub.2 is coated onto at least one surface of the evaporators.

4. The cooled storing reefer container or refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein said TiO.sub.2 is in anatase form.

5. The cooled storing reefer container or refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein said TiO.sub.2 is provided in a coating having a thickness of between 10 nm and 300 m.

6. The cooled storing reefer container or refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein said TiO.sub.2 is provided in a coating having a thickness of 1 m.

7. The cooled storing reefer container or refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein said TiO.sub.2 is provided on a fused quartz material, and wherein said fused quartz material is provided on at least part of at least one surface of the evaporator.

8. A method for cleaning of air inside a cooled storing reefer container or refrigerator, said method comprising photo catalytic decomposition of organic compounds comprising ethylene contained in said cooled storing reefer container or refrigerator provided with a cooling unit, said cooling unit comprising an evaporator with at least one surface, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing an airstream containing ethylene; b) providing means for photo catalysis, said means comprising at least one UV-source and TiO.sub.2 is provided on a material selected from the group comprising glass wool, steel wool and rock wool provided on at least part of said at least one surface of the evaporator, and wherein said at least one UV-source is arranged so that light emitted therefrom falls on said surface provided with TiO.sub.2; c) passing the airstream containing ethylene over the surface provided with TiO.sub.2 and UV light.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said cooled reefer container or refrigerator further comprises a storing compartment and a cooling compartment containing said cooling unit, wherein said compartments are in communication via channels, wherein in step a) the airstream allows air to circulate between the storing compartment and the cooling compartment.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein in step b) said TiO.sub.2 is further provided on one or more additional surfaces of said cooled storing reefer container or refrigerator.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein said TiO.sub.2 is in anatase form.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein said air is cleaned by reducing and/or eliminating ethylene from the air.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) The invention will be described below, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawing, which for the purpose of illustration shows a non-limiting embodiment and in which

(2) FIG. 1 shows a cooled storing system comprising means for photo catalytic decomposition of organic compounds according to the invention.

(3) The FIGURE is not drawn to scale, and only show one embodiment of the invention in order to explain the invention, some parts being omitted and others merely suggested.

(4) In FIG. 1, a cooled storing system (1) comprising a storing compartment (2) and a cooling compartment (3) according to the invention is shown. The storing compartment (2) is shown without its content of produce which may emit ethylene. The cooling compartment (3) is equipped with an evaporator (4) with a surface (5), which evaporator is part of a cooling unit also comprising a condenser and a compressor external to the cooling compartment (not shown). The cooled storing system further contain means for providing an airflow inside said system, such as a fan (6), and one or more UV-sources (7). TiO.sub.2 is provided on the surface (5) of the evaporator (4) and may optionally be provided on the surface (8) of a device such as a grid or a rack (9). The UV sources (7) are arranged so that UV light emitted therefrom falls on said surfaces (5 and 8) provided with TiO.sub.2 providing for a photo catalytic reaction which leads to decomposition of organic compounds such as ethylene that come into contact with the surface(s).

(5) The storing compartment (2) is in communication with the cooling compartment (3) via channels (10) allowing air to circulate between said compartments. Produce contained in the storing compartment (2) may emit ethylene which is then transported in the airstream (11) to the active surfaces (5 and 8) of the cooling compartment (3) where it is decomposed by photo catalysis. The cleaned air (12) is re-circulated to the storing compartment via channels (10) and ducts (13) in the floor (14) of the cooled storing system (2).

(6) Although the invention above has been described in connection with preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be evident for a person skilled in the art that several modifications are conceivable without departing from the invention as defined by the following claims.