Controlled atmosphere storage container

A controlled atmosphere system, comprising:

• a sealed transport container;
• a first inlet line having a first end in fluid communication with ambient air from outside said container and a second end disposed within said container;
• a compressor having an intake port fluidly coupled to the second end of said first inlet line and an exhaust port, said compressor being disposed within said container;
• an exhaust line having a first end fluidly coupled to said exhaust port and a second end disposed outside of said container;
• a gas separation means disposed outside of said container and having an entrance port fluidly coupled to the second end of said exhaust line and an exit port;
• a first outlet line having a first end fluidly coupled to said exit port and a second end fluidly coupled to said container for placing said exit port into fluid communication with gas inside said container;
• a second outlet line having a first end fluidly coupled to said container for receiving gas samples from within said container and a second end disposed outside of said container;
• a gas analyzing means disposed outside of said container and fluidly coupled to the second end of said second outlet line for determining the oxygen level of gas within said container;
• and
• a programmable control means electrically interfaced to said compressor, said gas separation means and said gas analyzing means, said control means being programmed to increase the oxygen level of gas inside said container in response to an electrical signal generated by said gas analyzing means indicating that the oxygen level of the gas within the container as determined form the gas samples is below a predetermined oxygen range, and decrease the oxygen level of the gas inside said container in response to an electrical signal generated by the gas analyzing means indicating that the oxygen level within said container as determined from the gas samples is above the predetermined oxygen range;
• said compressor being operable to introduce gas into the container in quantities sufficient to internally pressurize the container.