Optiflux, a spinoff, launched on Monday, September 27. That was with the introduction of a new, innovative top fruit measuring and control system. It is called DCA (Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere). "With DCA, you can store top fruit year-round, without using chemicals," says Niels Bessemans.
He is the brain behind the system and co-founder of Optiflux. Niels discussed the DCA system and what other services Optiflux can provide to the top fruit sector. That was at an appropriate location - a cold store at the BelOrta cooperative in Belgium.
The launch happened in a BelOrta cooperative cold store.
What is DCA?
This Optiflux product consists of a smart hardware module. It can be installed in existing storage facilities. "Not all fruits breathe the same way. That results in considerable quality differences when the fruit comes out of storage." Optiflux's hardware module measures how the fruit breathes. It then adjusts the climate in the cold store accordingly. "The cold stores' oxygen content is, thus, reduced to optimal levels. The fruit goes into a dormant state."
Left: This module measures the cold cell's oxygen, CO2, ethylene, and ammonia levels. Right: These tubes are connected to the smart sensor measuring the cold store's air concentrations.
The module measures the cold cell's oxygen, CO2, ethylene, and ammonia levels. It also records any leakage. The module intervenes when the atmosphere changes. So, it keeps the cold store's climate at an optimal level. Optiflux used this module to develop three services. These assist growers with the storage of their top fruit.
Left: The Smart Sensor has a wire with a thermometer at the top. This measures the temperature inside the cell. Right: The Smart Sensor up close. The holes allow for airflow.
OptiControl DCA
The system takes several measurements per week. These show how the fruit is breathing and if the cell is leaking. It responds to this by bringing the storage climate back to an optimal level. The spinoff provides this patented service under the name OptiControl DCA. "You are currently unable to customize storage," Niels says.
"We assume that all fruit breathes the same way. But this system measures that. It adjusts the oxygen level accordingly, reducing it to a minimal level. That's not like Ultra Low Oxygen storage (ULO). That has standardized storage conditions."
Niels Bessemans.
WatchDog
"We talked to many farmers. And there's a common problem. A refrigeration system defect can render 200,000 tons of top fruit unsuitable for the market. It, therefore, has to be discarded," Niels continues.
The WatchDog service monitors Optiflux to see if the cooling is performing as it should. Does the cold storage performance match the settings? Or are there any visible abnormal results? Optiflux uses a second recording system to take control measurements.
This second system links the results to the fridge's running time. The system detects changes or deviations beyond the threshold. It sets off an advance alarm if a cooling system no longer functions properly.
Store Insight
The software also provides a detailed overview of the stored fruits' quality. And it predicts how that will change. "Fruit growers can use that to better decide when to sell which batch. They can avoid quality losses. And high storage costs of lots with little storage potential."
Twenty years of research
Optiflux is the result of cooperation between three parties. They are Leuven University's post-harvest group, the Flemish Center for the Preservation of Horticultural Products, and the Federation of Belgian Horticultural Cooperatives (VBT).
"Our products are the result of 20 years of research into the top fruit storage. I received my doctorate on this subject. So I owe my doctoral degree to it. But most importantly, it can now help growers," Niels concludes.
Webinars
The spinoff is holding two webinars on October 25, 2021, for interested parties. One, at 16:00 CET, is in English. You can register for that version here.
For more information:
Niels Bessemans
Optiflux
Tel: +32 (0) 478 382 754
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.optiflux.world
