Technology
Ethylene Gas (C2H4) is an odourless, colourless gas that exists in nature and is also created by man-made sources. In nature, the largest producers of ethylene are plants and their products (ie fruit, vegetables and flowers). Some of the effects of ethylene are fruit ripening, abscission (thinning), grain germination, activation of dormant buds (potato storage), flower and leaf senescence.
Ethylene is often targeted as the reason for difficulty in breathing in ripening rooms. What can affect some people usually is that
- carbon dioxide (CO2) level is produced by the ripening fruit
- oxygen levels - oxygen is taken in by the ripening fruit
This combination of decreased oxygen levels and increased CO2 levels make breathing difficult and are important reasons for venting the ripening rooms. Ethylene will permeate through cardboard, wood and concrete walls.
The GT Automatic Ethylene Controller, linked with a TFS CO2 Ventilator, allows the operators to set safe, consistent levels of ethylene via a convenient touch screen pad with constant digital readout of room ethylene levels. The addition of the Ventilator Module also allows the operators to set a safe CO2 maximum level in their room and monitor via a constant digital readout.