The Netherlands: Dynamic Control System now automated

Wageningen UR, Food Biobased Research (FBR), EMS, and Storex have collaborated intensively in the last few years to develop an automated DCS system. Thorough research and various tests have been done. The result is a working system with help from an advanced ethanol meter for measuring ethanol in a measuring unit with fruit samples in the cooling cell. Now it's possible for DSC to have permanent control of the in-house fruit. With the DCS system the lowest possible oxygen value is found, instead of the safe 1% oxygen. When the apple starts to ferment, a minimal amount of oxygen is added dynamically. The DCS system offers the base for the best quality of fruit after storage.

The forming of alcohol is decided by hand with other systems by, for instance, cutting apples open and showing it using chemicals. This is relatively cumbersome and has logistic limits for large scale use. Now the measuring of ethanol has been automated using an electronic ethanol meter and a measuring unit filled with apples in the cell. The forming of ethanol can now be measured daily. Automatically and much more accurate. By using the daily ethanol measurements the storer can decide and set the optimal oxygen percentage more quickly.

The DCS system is already used in around 150 cells for storing Elstar. The users are very satisfied with the storage result. The results are shown mainly in that there is a natural ripening possible after storage. This is the base for the delicious taste of the apples. The apples are more presentable than regularly kept apples after storage. Other facts are a better hardness and longevity, and less skin-spots. Since 2012 DCS has been a registered trademark. Apples, produced according to the DCS protocol offer an added value quality mark.

At the Fruittelt trade show in Houten, The netherlands, Storex presented this system. The visitors responded very positively to the new possibility of being able to follow the DCS system within their own management at the fruit company.

For more information:
Peter Kooijman
Storex
Beneden Havendijk 89
3295 ZJ ’s Gravendeel
Tel: 0031 78-673 3648
p.kooijman@pebaco.nl
www.storex.nl