Collaborative Optimization of Dynamic Nitrogen Generation Strategies and Intelligent Fresh-keeping and Deodorization System

Jian Li; Zhixian Shen; Yanlong Ma; Jiahua Wang; Wenxiao Chu

doi:10.6911/

Authors

Jian Li 1Key Laboratory of Healthy & Intelligent Kitchen System Integration of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315336, China; Ningbo Fotile Kitchen Ware Company, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315336, China
Zhixian Shen Key Laboratory of Healthy & Intelligent Kitchen System Integration of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315336, China; Ningbo Fotile Kitchen Ware Company, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315336, China;
Yanlong Ma Key Laboratory of Healthy & Intelligent Kitchen System Integration of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315336, China; Ningbo Fotile Kitchen Ware Company, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315336, China
Jiahua Wang Key Laboratory of Healthy & Intelligent Kitchen System Integration of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315336, China; Ningbo Fotile Kitchen Ware Company, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315336, China
Wenxiao Chu Key Laboratory of Thermo-Fluid Science and Engineering Ministry of Education, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, P.R. China.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6911/

Keywords:

Dynamic nitrogen generation strategy, Intelligent fresh-keeping, Deodorization system, Model predictive control, Nitrogen generation by pressure swing adsorption.

Abstract

Under traditional low-temperature fresh-keeping conditions, household refrigerators often suffer from water loss and nutrient degradation of food ingredients. Existing modified atmosphere fresh-keeping and vacuum technologies lack precise control over oxygen concentration, making it difficult to achieve long-term fresh-keeping. This study proposes a dynamic nitrogen generation strategy based on model predictive control, and optimizes it collaboratively with a high-efficiency deodorization system for intelligent fresh-keeping refrigerators. The system generates nitrogen with a purity of 95% through a miniaturized flat-panel single-tower Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) nitrogen generation module, and realizes dynamic control of the target concentration of 85%±2% in the fresh-keeping chamber combined with the sealed design of the chamber. Experiments are conducted in a 25 L fresh-keeping chamber, where the nitrogen concentration reaches the target level within 20 minutes and decayed by approximately 1% within 4 hours. The trimethylamine concentration decreases from 15 ppm to 0.15 ppm with a purification rate of 99%. The total energy consumption of the nitrogen generation module and the deodorization module is 212 Wh within 4 hours, which is 7.83% lower than that of the fixed-cycle nitrogen supplement mode. The results show that the collaborative control of dynamic nitrogen generation and intelligent deodorization can quickly respond to nitrogen fluctuations in the chamber, maintain stable concentration, significantly improve fresh-keeping effect and deodorization efficiency, and optimize energy consumption simultaneously. This study provides a feasible algorithm framework and engineering practice path for cross-system collaborative control in intelligent household appliances, and has reference value for improving the fresh-keeping level of household food ingredients and energy-saving operation.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] Feng, L., Chang, K., Zhao, Y., & Chen, X. (2024). Dual characterization method of temperature uniformity and fluctuation for refrigerator: Experiment, methodology, and improvement. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 87, 300–307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2023.12.041.

[2] Tomar, M. S., & Pradhan, R. C. (2024). Recent developments in solar-powered refrigeration systems and energy storage methods for on-farm preservation of fruits and vegetables. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 72, 104032. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2024.104032

[3] Teng, X., Liu, Y., Chen, L., Xue, C., & Li, Z. (2023). Effects of liquid nitrogen freezing at different temperatures on the quality and flavor of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas). Food Chemistry, 422, 136162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.136162

[4] Jalaluddin, Yunus, M., & Elfiana, E. (2024). Analysis of the effect of pressure and air flow rate on the purity of nitrogen gas products produced by the pressure swing adsorption (PSA) method at PT. Arun Gas Perta. Jurnal Sains dan Teknologi Reaksi, 22(1), 6–11.

[5] Guo, Y. P., Li, J. W., Dou, H., & Ye, K. P. (2023). Effect of precise temperature control on the preservation effect of fresh pork during ice-temperature storage. 46(1), 150–158.

[6] Guo, J., Liu, D., Lin, S., Lin, J., & Zhen, W. (2024). Temperature prediction of a temperature-controlled container with cold energy storage system based on long short-term memory neural network. Applied Sciences, 14(2), 854. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14020854

[7] Esmaeili, M. S., & Mehrpooya, M. (2023). Modeling and exergy analysis of an integrated cryogenic refrigeration system and superconducting magnetic energy storage. Journal of Energy Storage, 73, 109033. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2023.109033

[8] Xiao, L., Chi, J., Luo, K., Xu, J., Zhao, D., Wu, Z., & Luo, E. (2024). A highly efficient eco-friendly heat-driven thermoacoustic refrigerator using nitrogen and water. Energy Conversion and Management, 304, 118251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2024.118251

[9] Yu, S., Wang, Z., Qiu, G., Che, X., Chen, J., Li, Q., & Cai, W. (2024). Optimization and analysis of a novel hydrogen liquefaction coupled system with dual path hydrogen refrigeration cycle and the closed nitrogen cycle pre-cooling. Journal of Cleaner Production, 470, 143281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.143281

[10] Assaf, J. C., Issa, C., Flouty, T., El Marji, L., & Nakad, M. (2025). Simulation and optimization of dry ice production process using amine-based CO2 capture and external ammonia refrigeration. Processes, 13(10), 3209. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13103209

[11] Wang, D., Chu, F., Wei, H., Zhang, J., & Zhai, H. (2025). Recent advances in the synergistic application of essential oils and emerging technologies for fresh food preservation: A comprehensive review. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 24(5), e70244. https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.70244

[12] Bao, Y. Q., Sun, Q. H., Jia, W., & Ding, T. (2024). Parameters estimation and optimal scheduling of a retrofit-free refrigerator. IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, 22, 3113–3124. https://doi.org/10.1109/TASE.2024.3367456

[13] Wang, Y., Zhang, J., Zhang, Y., Zhang, Y., Wang, Z., Wang, J., & Wu, Y. (2024). Single Fe atom-anchored manganese dioxide for efficient removal of volatile organic compounds in refrigerator. Nano Research, 17(5), 3927–3933. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-024-6411-7

[14] Chen, H. L., Zhang, C. Y., & Chang, Y. H. (2025). Formation and control of off-odors in aquatic processing products: A review. Food Science and Animal Products, 3, 9240124. https://doi.org/10.3402/fsap.v3.9240124

[15] Azemati, A. A., Pourrad, M. M., & Roustaei, A. R. (2025). Optimizing and improving the process conditions in the nitrogen production unit. Progress in Chemistry and Biochemistry Research, 8(1), 67–79.

[16] Rahadiyan, L., Aziz, M., & Nasruddin, N. (2024). Novel small-scale bio-hydrogen liquefaction assisted by dual-loop Rankine cycle and absorption refrigeration: Thermodynamics and techno-economic analyses. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 110, 850–865. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.12.214

[17] Zhang, Y., Chen, J., Lv, M., Wang, L., & Liu, B. (2025). Rapid removal of methyl mercaptan using Mn-coated columnar activated carbon catalyst at ambient temperature. New Journal of Chemistry, 49, 11789–11795. https://doi.org/10.1039/D5NJ00812A