TDA RESEARCH, INC. — Department of Agriculture SBIR Phase II: The respiration of fresh fruits and vegetables (FF & amp;V) converts oxygen from the s

Description

The respiration of fresh fruits and vegetables (FF & amp;V) converts oxygen from the surrounding air into carbon dioxide, moisture and ethylene. While ethylene is used under controlled conditions as a ripening agent, the presence of even small amounts of ethylene gas in shipping and storage containers causes most fresh produce to deteriorate much faster, potentially spoiling it before it reaches the store or consumer. Current ethylene control technology is based on reactive potassium permanganate filters. While they are effective, they pose logistics problems because they must be frequently replaced. In addition, the used filters are considered hazardous waste and require special and expensive disposal procedures. TDA Research, Inc. (TDA) proposes an ambient temperature oxidation catalyst that can be integrated into current shipping containers and storage facilities to eliminate ethylene. The catalytic oxidizer does not require replacement and disposal of the used media. The high activity of the catalyst at low temperatures eliminates the need to heat the air that flows through it and reduces complexity, capital and operating costs. In Phase I, we prepared and evaluated different catalyst formulations under representative conditions to prove the technical feasibility of the concept and carried out an economic analysis to demonstrate its commercial viability of the concept. The results suggest that the catalyst is highly effective in converting ethylene into CO2 and H2O, without generating undesirable by-products (such as carbon monoxide). The catalyst also maintains its performance over long durations without any loss of activity. The preliminary economic analysis suggests a clear cost advantage over one-time use permanganate filters. In Phase II, we will continue to improve the catalyst formulation and scale-up production using high throughput manufacturing equipment. We will fully design the catalyst filter and prepare several prototypes to carry out demonstrations to assess its efficacy in extending the life of fresh fruits and vegetables. We will also carry out a detailed cost analysis to identify the full economic benefits against competing technologies.