A Gas Chromatographic System for the Detection of Ethylene Gas Using Ambient Air as a Carrier Gas

Nayyer Abbas Zaidi,Walter Lang,Muhammad Waseem Tahir,Michael J Vellekoop

doi:10.3390/s17102283

Abstract

Ethylene gas is a naturally occurring gas that has an influence on the shelf life of fruit during their transportation in cargo ships. An unintentional exposure of ethylene gas during transportation results in a loss of fruit. A gas chromatographic system is presented here for the detection of ethylene gas. The gas chromatographic system was assembled using a preconcentrator, a printed 3D printed gas chromatographic column, a humidity sensor, solenoid valves, and an electrochemical ethylene gas sensor. Ambient air was used as a carrier gas in the gas chromatographic system. The flow rate was fixed to 10 sccm. It was generated through a mini-pump connected in series with a mass flow controller. The metal oxide gas sensor is discussed with its limitation in ambient air. The results show the chromatogram obtained from metal oxide gas sensor has low stability, drifts, and has uncertain peaks, while the chromatogram from the electrochemical sensor is stable and precise. Furthermore, ethylene gas measurements at higher ppb concentration and at lower ppb concentration were demonstrated with the electrochemical ethylene gas sensor. The system separates ethylene gas and humidity. The chromatograms obtained from the system are stable, and the results are 1.2% repeatable in five similar measurements. The statistical calculation of the gas chromatographic system shows that a concentration of 2.3 ppb of ethylene gas can be detected through this system.

Highlights

The loss of food during the transportation, production, and selling are beyond expectations.A survey reported by Gustavsson et al reveals that one-third of the food produced around the world is lost
The results show the chromatogram obtained from metal oxide gas sensor has low stability, drifts, and has uncertain peaks, while the chromatogram from the electrochemical sensor is stable and precise
9a,b the chromatogram from thetometal oxideingas sensor a probe gas of 400 because the metal oxide gas sensorswitch is sensitive to the change in flow rateare asthe theinjection preconcentrator the gas chromatographic column

Summary

Introduction

The loss of food during the transportation, production, and selling are beyond expectations.A survey reported by Gustavsson et al reveals that one-third of the food produced around the world is lost. A large proportion of food damage is linked with food loss during transportation in cargo ships. These losses occur due to insufficient atmosphere monitoring in cargo containers. To increase the shelf life after the fruit harvest, key factors are low temperature and maintained carbon dioxide, humidity, and ethylene gas in the container. Consumes oxygen, and produces carbon dioxide and ethylene gas. To maintain the quality of fruit during transportation, these parameters need to be measured. Control of these parameters can help regulate the rate of respiration and metabolism in fruit and help retain freshness in transportation containers.

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion