At Eagleview Orchard in Kirup, Western Australia, Oxair, a gas separation expert, is utilizing nitrogen generation technology in controlled atmosphere coolrooms to preserve apple and pear harvests.
Using a fully natural solution, the Oxair nitrogen generator reduces the oxygen content of the air in the coolroom, slowing down the respiration of the fruit to maintain optimal freshness. The machine at Eagleview can produce 20M^3/hr at 99% nitrogen through membrane technology. Customizable higher flow rates are also available to meet specific customer requirements.
By utilizing membrane technology for inert gas production at low pressure, safety hazards associated with high-pressure gas cylinders and bulk cryogenic liquefied gas are eliminated. This approach not only reduces running costs but can lead to savings of up to 50% compared to traditional supply methods.
Maintaining stringent atmospheric control is critical for pome fruits like apples and pears to eliminate ethylene, reduce respiration, and inhibit fungal spore development. After experiencing success with a rented Oxair nitrogen generator, Eagleview opted to invest in a permanent unit to further enhance their operations. Dianne Fogliani from Eagleview emphasized the generator’s importance, stating, “We’ve been producing fruit at Eagleview for forty years now and we always aim to produce the best quality we possibly can. Oxair’s technology is helping us to maintain the ultimate in freshness and quality.”
The current controlled atmosphere storage space supplied with nitrogen spans around 700 cubic meters. The purchased unit from Oxair can efficiently handle a larger operation, giving the orchard room to expand without necessitating additional generators.
Oxair engineer David Cheeseman praised the practicality and cost-effectiveness of supplying nitrogen through membrane technology, highlighting its benefits for maintaining the freshness of fruit and vegetable harvests. He expressed satisfaction with working with Eagleview Orchard and providing them with reliable, fuss-free technology.
