Ventech Ripening System
Contents
1. Ground pins on the power outlet The machine can operate safely with reversed live amp neutral supply using a non polarised socket outlet as is used in continental Europe The machine has internal fuses in the LINE amp NEUTRAL which are not user accessible without dismantling If connecting by means of athree phase plug ensure that the mains lead is connected with the correct polarity to Live amp Neutral and not across two phases Also ensure that the earth connection is properly connected 1 5 Mains Lead Colour Code Page 2 9526USR4 VENTECH AGRIONICS USER MANUAL ISSUE 4 00 MODEL 9526 52 FRUIT RIPENING SYSTEM UNPACKING amp INSTALLATION CHECKS Live Line Brown Neutral Blue Earth Ground Yellow Green 1 6 Power Requirements The maximum supply voltage is 280 Volts AC 50 60 Hz Above 260 Volts operation is automatically interrupted to protectthe components from damage with automatic resetting when supply returns to safe limits Nominal working voltage is 200 to 250 Volts at 1 2 Amps Model 9526 200 to 250 Volts at 2 4 Amps Model 9552 Model 9526 Max Power during upis 234 watts and average power consumption over a 6 hour ripening cycle is 95 watts Model 9552 Max Power during upis 480 watts and average power consumption over a 6 hour ripening cycle is 190 watts External current Protection No external protection is necessary however if a fused plug such as the UK 13A plugis used any f2. ROOM INSTRUMENTATION SUPPLIED BY VENTECH AGRIONICS Call us on for details Tel 27 0 15 962 4203 Fax 27 0 15 962 4110 Tel 44 1889 272781 email ventech lantic net DIGITAL HUMIDITY METER 9526USR4
3. in the ripening fluid not being able to flow into the reactor when nearly empty Since the cooling effect of the ripening fluid is no longer applied to the base of the reactor the temperature will tend to rise with the risk of damage to the reactor elementterminals This protection by removing power to the element maintains the temperature within safe limits amp therefore provides protection should the machine not be level 9526USR4 VENTECH AGRIONICS USER MANUAL ISSUE 4 00 MODEL 9526 52 FRUIT RIPENING SYSTEM OPERATION Elementfailure The element as most heating elements has a finite working life and will eventually require replacement When it eventually fails it can possibly overheat by passing the control system Normally this will be picked up by the HI TEMP protection butshould thisfailforany reason the STOP protection will provide backup protection and prevent any risk of fire or damage to the metalwork of the machine Total control failure Inthe eventofa directlightning strike of magnitude too greatforthe lightning protection the HI TEMP protection may fail and the STOP protection provides back up protection to prevent dangerous high temperatures occuring which could cause a fire This has happened on more than one occasion with machines made by other manufacturers who do not offer such comprehensive protection Note that it is extremely unlikely that this will occur since a lightning strike or surge greaterthan the c
4. these functions in one unit and one unit can protect a multiple compressor installation If you use a standby generator if not already automatic have it converted for automatic starting and stopping A VENTECH AMF GENERATOR CONTROLLER can be retro fitted to virtually any electrically started generator to provide this facility 6 SYSTEM INTEGRATION The model 9500 series gas generators can be integrated into a SCADA or Proba 110 controlled system by connection of the remote control port to a suitable control devices Connection Pin 1 LH terminal OV Pin 2 Control Pin 3 12 VDC Pins 1 2 are hard wired together to enable solenoid valve operation Remove this link amp connect to an interface relay or the output of any opt isolator as follows Pin 1 Emitter Pin 2 Collector amp 1 0 pull up resistor Pin 3 1 0 pull up resistor Applying 5 10 mA to the Opto input will enable gas generation Since the operating voltage amp current is low a single pair telephone cable can be used to interface to the port oOo 9526USR4 Page 13 VENTECH AGRIONICS USER MANUAL ISSUE 4 00 MODEL 9526 52 FRUIT RIPENING SYSTEM RIPENING ROOM INSTRUMENTATION MT 605 PEN TYPE DIGITAL THERMOMETER cost meter for accurately measuring air and liquid temperatures W Easily fits in your shirt ket pocket m Fast and accurate response with 0 1 resolution and data DIGITAL MAX MIN THERMOMETER RIPENING
5. 8 hrs 9552 or 12 16 hours 9526 operation the ripening fluid will have been used up amp the fluid bottle will be empty At this point since there is no fluid in the bottom of the reactor the temperature will rise from 70 Deg C the boiling point of the fluid At90 Deg C the cold end sensor mounted on the bottom of the element will switch on the STOP light amp switch off the SOV amp the heater indicated by the CONTROL amp HEAT lights switching off This will allow the machine to cool down until the sensor switches on again and the machine will cycle on amp off keeping it ready to start a new ripening session once refilled but preventing damage to the element Once refilled ifthe STOP lightis on it will restart automatically once cooled amp the inflow of fluid will prevent it coming on again NB If the time is substantially longer it could be that the catalyst is becoming fouled amp requires changing Note It is important that the machine is level otherwise the fluid will not flow into the reactor when itis almost finished and the STOP light will switch off earlier 9526USR4 VENTECH AGRIONICS USER MANUAL ISSUE 4 00 MODEL 9526 52 FRUIT RIPENING SYSTEM OPERATION 2 5 WARNING INDICATORS 2 5 1 HI TEMP red light After start up the temperature will sometimes initially overshoot the correct set point causing the HI TEMP red light to turn on This is no cause for alarm and should go out after
6. VENTECH AGRIONICS USER MANUAL ISSUE 4 00 MODEL 9526 52 FRUIT RIPENING SYSTEM MODEL 9526 9552 RIPENING SYSTEM USER MANUAL FRUIT RIPENING 4 I CURING SYSTEM MODEL Soo MANNA NAN 3331 LAN X XN aaas NARRAR N 5 gt zen lacs ee ee See a SS eee ec Sse Seem See Stee Stee Se x C VERSION 4 00 MARCH 2013 9526USR4 VENTECH AGRIONICS USER MANUAL ISSUE 4 00 MODEL 9526 52 FRUIT RIPENING SYSTEM INDEX UNPACKING amp INSTALLATION CHECKS INDEX Pages Unpacking amp Installation checks 2 3 4 Operation 4 5 6 7 Servicing 7 amp 8 Ripening Guides 9 10 11 12 Ripening Room maintenance 13 14 Instrumentation 15 UNPACKING amp INSTALLATION CHECKS Remove machine from packaging amp save packaging for re use when returning machine for servicing or warranty repairs Open the cover by removing the screw at the bottom amp sliding cover unnpwards amp remove the mains lead which is packed inside Prior to connecting to electrical supply itis recommended that the power outlet to be used is checked for correct polarity amp good earthing grounding There should not be more than approx 50 milliVolts AC between the Neutral amp Earth
7. a few minutes amp will not come on again This can also occur in the event of a power failure when power is restored This provides backup protection to avoid incorrect gas generation which could cause degraded ripening HI VOLTS red light If this light comes on itis an indication that the mains power supply voltage is too high above 260 Volts Normally the nominal voltage depending on country is from 220 to 250 Volts Normal variations in supply voltage should be within 6 UK to 10 S Africa Itis unlikely that any country will have a supply that intentionally exceeds the 10 limit although under fault conditions or very heavily loaded distribution systems the voltage can exceed these limits late at night when the gas generator will still be working but most industrial amp domestic load is switched off In some developing countries these limits can also be exceeded Forthis reason the Ventech gas generator has a built in protection circuit which will automatically switch off once this safe working limit has been exceeded without damage to the components After supply has returned to normal the HI VOLT light will go out amp normal operation will be resumed STOP Red light This light will be lit if the temperature at the bottom of the reactor exceeds safe limits and when lit switches off power to the reactor amp solenoid valve This can be caused by several reasons Machine not level This results
8. apacity ofthe ultra fast surge diodes will normally blow one or other the mains fuses INDICATOR LAMPS COLOUR CODES Green Normal operation modes Yellow Temporary operating modes such as low fluid or low temp on startup Red Abnormal operating modes Note further that the VOLTS TOO HI indication is outside the control of the gas generator and is not a machine fault as such being an external fault resulting from incorrect supply voltage A MACHINE SHOWING THIS INDICATION SHOULD NOT BE RETURNED FOR SERV ICE WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING THAT THE SUPPLY VOLTAGE IS IN FACT TOO HIGH BY MEASURING WITH A DIGITAL METER PREFERABLY OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THIS CONDITION WILL NORMALLY OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY amp IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE YOUR MACHINE CONNECTED TO THE SUPPLY WHEN CHECKING 9526USR4 VENTECH AGRIONICS USER MANUAL ISSUE 4 00 MODEL 9526 52 FRUIT RIPENING SYSTEM 3 3 3 3 1 3 3 2 3 3 2 OPERATION SERVICING SERVICING Catalyst Changing The catalyst used in the machine will need changing after after between 6 amp 12 months use Due to the restrictions imposed by Customs amp Excise departments the Ventech Ripening Fluid contains de naturants which will eventually poison the catalyst causing reduced gas generation We also recommend that if you are have problems ripening that you check the gas levels with with a gas sampler such as the GASTEC details of which are at the end of the manual This is
9. bananas are not chilled as this can cause damage RECOMMENDED GUIDE FOR BANANA RIPENING Day Ripening Schedule no of days No 4 5 6 7 8 17 8 16 7 16 7 15 6 14 4 17 8 16 7 16 7 15 6 14 4 16 7 16 7 15 6 15 6 14 4 15 6 16 7 156 15 6 14 4 15 6 15 6 15 6 14 4 14 4 14 4 14 4 14 4 14 4 14 4 STORE AT 14 4 Deg C for delayed shipment 9526USR4 VENTECH AGRIONICS USER MANUAL ISSUE 4 00 MODEL 9526 52 FRUIT RIPENING SYSTEM RIPENING GUIDES RECOMMENDED GUIDE FOR TOMATO RIPENING Ripening Schedule no of days 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 211 21 1 21 1 21 1 21 1 21 1 21 1 E umo mios ome me xe mo aa E 20 0 18 3 18 3 18 3 16 7 15 6 15 6 15 6 mE alies 18 3 16 7 16 7 16 7 15 6 14 4 14 4 EE s er ser e me e a ne wo 6 7 8 156 14 44 14 4 14 4 14 4 14 4 13 3 13 3 13 3 13 3 13 3 13 3 13 3 12 8 128 128 12 8 13 3 9 12 8 12 8 12 8 13 3 11 12 8 12 8 STORE 12 8 for delayed shipment 9526054 VENTECH AGRIONICS USER MANUAL ISSUE 4 00 MODEL 9526 52 FRUIT RIPENING SYSTEM RIPENING GUIDES AVOCADOES Gas for 12 hours at 23 Deg C then ventilate Maintain temperature till ripe 2 3 days total Minimum safe storage temperature 4 5 to 13 Deg C CITRUS Gas for 12 hours at 27 Deg C then ventilate Maintain temperature till ripe 3 4 days total Minimum safe storage temperature 3 MANGOES Wash in hot water at 53 to 55 Deg C for 5 m
10. hould be avoided since the accuracy is not so good atlow temperatures Platinum resistance Pt100 type controllers are best The capilliary type controller has too high a differential Difference between switching off and switching on to give accurate temperature control and the capilliary tube is easily damaged and cannot be replaced If damaged the complete instrument has to be replaced An independent high low temperature alarm amp chart recorder is recommended especially if you are in an area that has a high incidence of power failures 5 2 AIR HANDLING LEAKS 5 2 1 Evaporator amp condensor coils should cleaned at least every 6 months 5 2 2 Check drain lines regularly 5 2 3 Check compressors fan motors belts etc and service as recommended by manufacturer 5 2 4 Replace damaged or worn door gaskets as necessary 5 2 5 Check rooms for gas tightness at least once a year 9526USR4 VENTECH AGRIONICS USER MANUAL ISSUE 4 00 MODEL 9526 52 FRUIT RIPENING SYSTEM RIPENING ROOM MAINTENANCE 5 3 ELECTRICAL 5 3 1 Checkthat your electrical panel has protection against Low voltage high voltage phase failure phase reversal and a three minute timerto prevent damage due to operation ofthe power company s auto reclosers Any ofthese faults will damage your compressors and air circulation fans If not we recommend that you ask your electrician to fit suitable equipment The VENTECH THREE PHASE LOAD PROTECTOR combines all
11. ins then pack into lug boxes amp stack in ripening room Gas for 12 hours at 30 to 32 Deg C then ventilate Maintain temperature till ripe 2 days total Reducing temperature to 24 to 25 Deg C will extend ripening time to 2 1 2 to days NB Mangoes can also be mixed with bananas which are ripened at 15 to 18 Deg C Gas for 12 hours at 27 Deg C then ventilate Maintain temperature till ripe 3 4 days total Minimum safe storage temperature 10 to 13 Deg C OTHER FRUITS Many other fruits can be ripened with the VENTECH RIPENING SYSTEM Please contact us or your distributor agent for details TOBACCO Tobacco can be succesfully cured with a 15 reduction in curing time Please contact us or your distributor agent for a copy of our tobacco curing guide 9526USR4 VENTECH AGRIONICS USER MANUAL ISSUE 4 00 MODEL 9526 52 FRUIT RIPENING SYSTEM RIPENING ROOM MAINTENANCE RIPENING ROOM MAINTENANCE A good preventative maintenance program is the best way to avoid ripening room problems We would like to recommend the following TEMPERATURE CONTROLLERS AND PROGRAMMERS Regular calibration checks should be carried to avoid incorrect ripening room temperatures Check capillary tubing to be sure it is free of kinks Capillary tube amp bulb temperature controllers should be replaced if possible with an electronic temperature controller preferably with a digital display reading to 0 1 Deg C Thermocouple type controllers s
12. ne in to yourservice centre Condition No lights lit First checkthe electrical supplyto your machine and if you have testmeter check that you have mains supply across the two outside pins on the connector that plugs into the socket If there is supply the electronics module must be faulty You can either return the whole machine to the agent for repair or remove the electronics module amp fit an exchange unit to do this unplug the machine from the mains supply and remove the Page 8 9526USR4 VENTECH AGRIONICS USER MANUAL ISSUE 4 00 MODEL 9526 52 FRUIT RIPENING SYSTEM RIPENING GUIDES Cont door then unplug the six way amp two way plugs from the electronic module These are plugged in through the side of the main enclosure There is a retaining latch on the connector that has to be squeezed in to release the connector Undothe centre thumb screw holding the module into the main enclosure amp withdraw the module from the main enclosure Refitting is the reverse Ensure that when the new connectors are plugged in they are pushed home to engage the latches Note that the electronics module does not need any adjustment after fitting The mass is 1 3 Kg which results in a considerable cost saving amp time saving compared to returning the whole machine for repair 4 RIPENING GUIDES 4 1 BANANAS For best taste ripen bananas according to the following schedule then hold at 14 5 Deg C for delayed shipment Ensure that
13. nection to a gas pipe The gas pipe in turn can be connected to a gas manifold feeding individual rooms with the gas supply to each room controlled by a butterfly or ball valve This option is particularly useful for converting an existing bottled gas fed ripening room to catalytic generator operation External Tank Option This option can be used in conjunction with the previously described options to enable the gassing period to be extended by means of an external tank mounted outside the ripening room which increases the capacity of the generator thus extending the gassing time This external tank is connected to a 1 8 NPT bulkead connector on the side of the machine which is supplied as part of the external tank option kit and connected inside the machine directly to the solenoid valve replacing the tank The external tank can be manufactured locally to VENTECH specifications or supplied by VENTECH The tank capacity can be sized to suit local Health amp Safety codes which is usually 20 Litres However this amp other tanks can be in turn refilled automatically from a 210L drum outside the building 2 OPERATION 2 1 Unscrew the lid of the tank amp fill with 2 litre US 2 quarts of VENTECH Ethylene Generator fluid or an approved equivalent WARNING The ripening fluid is highly inflammable amp of low flashpoint Disconnect from electrical supply by unplugging before filling Keep away from naked flame when filling amp
14. preferably fill in an open space or well ventilated room The use of solvents not approved by use is not recommended since although apparently normal ripening will be achieved accelerated degradation of system components occur resulting in expensive long term repair costs 9526USR4 VENTECH AGRIONICS USER MANUAL ISSUE 4 00 MODEL 9526 52 FRUIT RIPENING SYSTEM OPERATION 2 2 Placed generator in ripening room amp plug in to power outlet The control panel status lights will light as follows ETHYLENE GENERATOR LOW TEMP Yellow CONTROL Green NORMAL Green HEAT Green 2 3 Afterabout 10 minutes the Yellow LO TEMP light will go out amp the SOV lamp will start to flash briefly at approx 9 second intervals accompa nied by a click This is the solenoid valve opening allowing ripening fluid to be admitted to the reactor to be converted to ethylene Ethylene gas will be emitted from the nozzle on the top of the machine CAUTION THE EXHAUST NOZZLE OPERATES AT OVER 100 DEG C DO NOT TOUCH WHEN OPERATING OR FOR HALF AN HOUR AFTER SWITCHING OFF After reaching operating temperature the HEAT amp CONTROL lights will flash on amp off as the system enters pulse width modulation mode which gives proportional control of the element temeperature This gives very accurate control of the catalytic conversion temperature and by preventing temperature cycling of the element gives longer element life than on off control After approx 6
15. supplied by us amp itis possible that a group of ripeners in one area share the cost of one kit since it is only used infrequently Werecommend thatthe user checks the catalyst once a month after the first six months operation from new or after a catalyst change and examine the catalyst by unscrewing the exhaust nozzle when cold and viewing the catalyst which consists of small white tubes filling the reactor These should be loose amp not welded together by carbon If left too long it is difficult to remove the old catalyst and will require an exchange reactor Once the catalyst starts getting heavily carbonated it should be emptied by turning the machine upside down and shaking out the old catalyst It may be necessary to loosen the catalyst with a long thin screwdriver or skewer Once all the catalyst is removed the reactor can be refilled with a new catalyst pack taking care notto overtighten the exhaust nozzle when replacing When refilling some ofthe catalyst consist of triangular ceramic chips that should be putin first followed by the tubular active catalyst Due to the low cost of the catalyst itis better to change it sooner rather than later This will be done automatically if your machine is covered by a service contract or sent in for any service or repairs Before returning a machine for repair a few simple checks should be carried out which could save you the transport costs amp downtime involved in sending a machi
16. use from 6 13 Ais suitable Having satisfied that the power supply is correctly connected the machine can be put into service We recommend that the machine be placed in the ripening room at a height of 3 ft 1 Metre above floor levels preferably positioned so that maximum air flows across the machine amp with a minimum space all round the machine of 20 500 Also ensure the machine is clear of any fork lift trucks or any other mechanical handling equipment that could cause damage 1 9 Installation Options The VENTECH FRUIT RIPENING SYSTEM is normally used as a portable unit which is plugged into the room to be gassed then moved onto the next room There is an optional mounting bracket kit available which allows quick fitting amp removal amp comprises two mounting brackets that are bolted to the back ofthe machine using the 4 XM5 bushes provided The brackets have keyhole slots that allow a machine fitted with the brackets to be lifted of the mounting screws quickly 9526USR4 VENTECH AGRIONICS USER MANUAL ISSUE 4 00 MODEL 9526 52 FRUIT RIPENING SYSTEM UNPACKING amp INSTALLATION CHECKS However for high volume ripening rooms there are available certain add on options as follows Gas Pipe Adaptor This option also permits mounting the generator outside the ripening room The exhaust nozzle of the generator can be replaced with a 1 8 NPT tube connector obtainable from any hydraulics supplier that allows con
Download Pdf Manuals
Related Search