Modified and controlled atmosphere system and method

A method for generating and maintaining a modified and controlled atmosphere (MA/CA) environment in a mechanically refrigerated system, comprising:

• providing a rigid sealable container having at least one refrigeration unit;
• integrating or adapting an oxygen reduction means into the mechanically refrigerated system, said oxygen reduction means selected from the group consisting of electrochemical means, catalytic means, chemical or biochemical means, mechanical means, pressure swing, and a combination thereof;
• generating a recirculating forced atmosphere stream from the ambient atmosphere inside the rigid, refrigerated container by operation of said mechanical refrigeration unit, the recirculating forced atmosphere stream passing through the mechanical refrigeration unit;
• and
• operating the oxygen reduction means in an oxygen reduction mode using the recirculating forced atmosphere stream to reduce the oxygen level to, and maintain the oxygen level at, 10,000 ppm or less inside the rigid, refrigerated container in 72 hours or less;
• the integrating or adapting said oxygen reduction means step being carried out using one or more hydrogen powered fuel cells, each comprising an anode and a cathode, so that the recirculating forced atmosphere stream is directed across the one or more hydrogen powered fuel cells where oxygen is reacted with hydrogen ions to form water, heat and electricity;
• and
• selectively exposing the one or more hydrogen powered fuel cells to either the recirculating, forced atmosphere stream when in the oxygen reduction mode, or to air or another oxygen source from other than the atmosphere inside said rigid sealable container in a power generating mode.

A modified and controlled atmosphere (MA/CA) system for use with non-respiring foodstuffs, comprising;

• a rigid sealable container defining a container interior capable of containing a supply of non-respiring foodstuffs within the container interior;
• a mechanical refrigeration unit having an air inlet and an air outlet, capable of generating a recirculating forced atmosphere stream from the container interior, through the mechanical refrigeration unit, and back into the container interior said rigid sealable container and said mechanical refrigeration unit constituting a refrigeration assembly;
• an oxygen reduction means, positioned along the forced atmosphere stream within the container interior, for reducing the amount of oxygen within the forced atmosphere stream;
• the oxygen reduction means comprises structure for retrofitting the container assembly with the oxygen reduction means positioned at a chosen one of the air inlet and the air outlet;
• and
• the oxygen reduction means capable of maintaining the oxygen level within the container interior at a level of 10,000 ppm or less.

A modified and controlled atmosphere (MA/CA) system, comprising;

• a rigid sealable container defining a container interior;
• a mechanical refrigeration unit;
• the mechanical refrigeration unit capable of generating a recirculating forced atmosphere stream from the container interior, through the mechanical refrigeration unit, and into the container interior;
• an oxygen reduction means adapted to the mechanical refrigeration system and positioned along the forced atmosphere stream;
• the oxygen reduction means capable of maintaining the oxygen level within the container interior at a level of 10,000 ppm or less;
• said oxygen reduction means comprising one or more hydrogen powered fuel cells, each fuel cell comprising an anode and a cathode, wherein the recirculating, forced atmosphere stream can be directed across the one or more hydrogen powered fuel cells with the anodes of said one or more fuel cells in communication with a hydrogen source, where oxygen is reacted with hydrogen ions to form water, heat and electricity;
• and
• means for selectively exposing the one or more hydrogen powered fuel cells to either the recirculating, forced atmosphere stream from an atmosphere inside the rigid sealable container during the oxygen reduction means operating step, or to an oxygen source other than the atmosphere inside the rigid sealable container during a power generating operating step.

A modified and controlled atmosphere (MA/CA) system, comprising;

• a rigid sealable container defining a container interior containing ambient container gas;
• a mechanical refrigeration unit;
• the mechanical refrigeration unit capable of generating a recirculating forced atmosphere stream from the container interior, through the mechanical refrigeration unit, and into the container interior;
• an oxygen reduction means adapted to the mechanical refrigeration system and positioned along the forced atmosphere stream;
• the oxygen reduction means capable of maintaining the oxygen level within the container interior at a level of 10,000 ppm or less;
• said oxygen reduction means comprising one or more hydrogen powered fuel cells, each fuel cell comprising an anode and a cathode, wherein the recirculating, forced atmosphere stream can be directed across the one or more fuel cells with the anodes of said one or hydrogen powered more fuel cells in communication with a hydrogen source, where oxygen is reacted with hydrogen ions to form water, heat and electricity;
• and
• an air bypass assembly comprising:
• an air delivery portion by which an oxygen-containing, non-ambient gas, that is gas other than the ambient container gas, can be directed to the one or more hydrogen powered fuel cells;
• and
• an air return portion by which the non-ambient gas can be directed from the one or more hydrogen powered fuel cells to a region external of the container interior.