Description:
BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a system for storing rice and particularly to a system and method for storing rice under carbon dioxide and nitrogen rich environment.
Description of Related Art
[002] Growth of insects and biological residues like eggs and larvae of insects in rice during storage is a major quality problem. Storing of rice under low temperature can reduce the problem; however, energy consumption for refrigeration systems is very high. Traditionally, hermetic bags were used to minimize postharvest losses by depleting oxygen and increasing carbon dioxide levels within a rice storage container through metabolic respiration of grains, insects, and microorganisms. However, such bags are susceptible to physical damage such as perforations from insects and rodents.
[003] To improve the quality of rice, various systems have been developed. Conventionally, an Internet of Things based system has been disclosed to monitor and preserve the rice. However, such system involves a thermoelectric cooling system for increasing a level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the rice storage chamber which in turn increases a cost of preserving the rice.
[004] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced system and method that can store and preserve the rice in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a system for storing rice under carbon dioxide and nitrogen rich environment. The system comprising: a rice storage chamber to receive and store rice bags. The system further comprising: a multi gas controller attached to the rice storage chamber. The multi gas controller is switched on or off by a user to control gases inside the rice storage chamber. The multi gas controller comprises: an oxygen sensor configured to sense a level of oxygen in the rice storage chamber; a carbon dioxide sensor configured to sense a level of carbon dioxide inside the rice storage chamber; a control unit connected to the oxygen sensor and the carbon dioxide sensor. The control unit is configured to: receive the sensed oxygen level and the sensed carbon dioxide level from the oxygen sensor and the carbon dioxide sensor; compare the sensed carbon dioxide level with a pre-defined level of carbon dioxide; compare the sensed oxygen level with a pre-defined level of oxygen; open a first valve of a carbon dioxide cylinder to pump carbon dioxide gas from the carbon dioxide cylinder into the rice storage chamber, when the sensed carbon dioxide level is less than or equal to the pre-defined level of carbon dioxide; and close a second valve of an oxygen cylinder to stop a flow of oxygen gas from entering into the rice storage chamber when the sensed oxygen level exceeds the pre-defined level of oxygen.
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for storing rice under carbon dioxide and nitrogen rich environment. The method comprising steps of: receiving a sensed oxygen level and a sensed carbon dioxide level from an oxygen sensor and a carbon dioxide sensor; comparing the sensed carbon dioxide level with a pre-defined level of carbon dioxide; comparing the sensed oxygen level with a pre-defined level of oxygen; opening a first valve of a carbon dioxide cylinder to pump carbon dioxide gas from the carbon dioxide cylinder into a rice storage chamber, when the sensed carbon dioxide level is less than or equal to the pre-defined level of carbon dioxide; and closing a second valve of an oxygen cylinder to stop a flow of oxygen gas from entering into the rice storage chamber when the sensed oxygen level exceeds the pre-defined level of oxygen.
[007] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a system for storing rice under carbon dioxide and nitrogen rich environment.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system that is having an electronic control of oxygen and carbon dioxide level in a rice storage chamber.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system that is beneficial for rice millers to preserve rice for longer period when a demand of rice is less in the market.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system that eliminates a requirement of cooling or refrigeration systems.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system that is simple in operation.
[0012] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0013] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for storing rice under carbon dioxide and nitrogen rich environment, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates components of a control unit of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for storing rice under carbon dioxide and nitrogen rich environment, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0020] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0021] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for storing rice under carbon-dioxide and nitrogen rich environment, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may be configured for storing the rice under high carbon dioxide and low oxygen environment without utilization of foreign chemical reagents.
[0023] The system 100 may comprise a rice storage chamber 102 that may be designed to receive and store rice bags, in an embodiment of the present invention. The rice storage chamber 102 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, polystyrene, glass wool, plastic, steel, and so forth, in an embodiment of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material of the rice storage chamber 102 including known related art and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, wall joints of the rice storage chamber 102 may be sealed with an elastic paint having a low oxygen transmission rate and water vapor transmission rate.
[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the rice storage chamber 102 may comprise a door (not shown) that may be sealed to avoid exposure of the rice bags to an outside environment. The door may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, the polystyrene, the glass wool, the plastic, and so forth, in an embodiment of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material of the door including known related art and/or later developed technologies.
[0025] The system 100 may comprise a multi gas controller 104 that may be attached to the rice storage chamber 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the multi gas controller 104 may be switched on or off by a user to control gases such as, but not limited to, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and so forth inside the rice storage chamber 102. The multi gas controller 104 may comprise an oxygen sensor 106, a carbon dioxide sensor 108, and a control unit 110, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] The oxygen sensor 106 may be configured to sense a level of oxygen in the rice storage chamber 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. The oxygen sensor 106 may be configured to transmit the sensed level of oxygen to the control unit 110, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] The carbon dioxide sensor 108 may be configured to sense a level of carbon dioxide inside the rice storage chamber 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. The carbon dioxide sensor 108 may be configured to transmit the sensed level of carbon dioxide to the control unit 110, in an embodiment of the present invention. The carbon dioxide sensor 108 may be, but not limited to, a Non dispersive infrared sensor, a Metal oxide semiconductor sensor, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the carbon dioxide sensor 108 including known related art and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 110 may be connected to the oxygen sensor 106 and the carbon dioxide sensor 108. In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 110 may be configured to execute computer executable instructions to generate an output. According to embodiments of the present invention, the control unit 110 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control unit (PLC), a microprocessor, a computing device, a development board, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 110 may be an Arduino Board. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the control unit 110 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] The system 100 may further comprise a carbon dioxide cylinder 112, an oxygen cylinder 114, and a nitrogen pumping unit 116.
[0030] The carbon dioxide cylinder 112 may be removably attached to the rice storage chamber 102 through a first control piping (not shown), in an embodiment of the present invention. The carbon dioxide cylinder 112 may be filled with liquid carbon dioxide, in an embodiment of the present invention. The carbon dioxide cylinder 112 may be having a pumping mechanism to supply a required amount of carbon dioxide gas in the rice storage chamber 102 based on the output generated by the control unit 110, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the carbon dioxide cylinder 112 may comprise a first valve 118 that may be opened or closed to allow or stop the flow of the carbon dioxide gas into the rice storage chamber 102. According to embodiments of the present invention, the first valve 118 may be of any type such as, but not limited to, a unidirectional valve, a bidirectional valve, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the first valve 118, including known related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0031] The oxygen cylinder 114 may be removably attached to the rice storage chamber 102 through a second control piping (not shown), in an embodiment of the present invention. The oxygen cylinder 114 may be filled with oxygen gas, in an embodiment of the present invention. The oxygen cylinder 114 may be having a pumping mechanism to supply a required amount of the oxygen gas in the rice storage chamber 102 based on the output generated by the control unit 110, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the oxygen cylinder 114 may comprise a second valve 120 that may be opened or closed to allow or stop the flow of the oxygen gas into the rice storage chamber 102. According to embodiments of the present invention, the second valve 120 may be of any type such as, but not limited to, a unidirectional valve, a bidirectional valve, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the second valve 120, including known related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0032] The nitrogen pumping unit 116 may be having a Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) nitrogen generator with a storage tank, in an embodiment of the present invention. The PSA nitrogen generator may be capable to generate 99% pure nitrogen gas that may be pumped inside the rice storage chamber 102 for creating the nitrogen rich environment in the rice storage chamber 102.
[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates components of the control unit 110 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The components may be a data receiving module 200, a comparison module 202, and a gas control module 204.
[0034] The data receiving module 200 may be configured to receive the sensed oxygen level and the sensed carbon dioxide level from the oxygen sensor 106 and the carbon dioxide sensor 108, in an embodiment of the present invention. The data receiving module 200 may be configured to transmit the sensed oxygen level and the sensed carbon dioxide level to the comparison module 202, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the comparison module 202 may be configured to compare the sensed carbon dioxide level with a pre-defined level of carbon dioxide. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pre-defined level of carbon dioxide may be in a range of 1% to 90%.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, if the comparison module 202 determines that the sensed carbon dioxide level is less than or equal to the pre-defined level of carbon dioxide, then the comparison module 202 may be configured to generate a carbon dioxide gas controlling signal. The comparison module 202 may be configured to transmit the generated carbon dioxide gas controlling signal to the gas control module 204.
[0037] In another embodiment of the present invention, the comparison module 202 may be configured to enable the data receiving module 200 to continue receiving the sensed carbon dioxide level from the carbon dioxide sensor 108, when the sensed carbon dioxide level exceeds the pre-defined level of carbon dioxide.
[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the comparison module 202 may be configured to compare the sensed oxygen level with a pre-defined level of oxygen. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the predefined level of oxygen may be in a range from 1% to 21%. In an embodiment of the present invention, if the comparison module 202 determines that the sensed oxygen level exceeds the pre-defined level of oxygen, then the comparison module 202 may be configured to generate an oxygen gas controlling signal. The comparison module 202 may be configured to transmit the generated oxygen gas controlling signal to the gas control module 204.
[0039] In another embodiment of the present invention, the comparison module 202 may be configured to enable the data receiving module 200 to continue receiving the sensed oxygen level from the oxygen sensor 106, when the sensed oxygen level is less than or equal to the pre-defined level of oxygen.
[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, the gas control module 204 may be configured to open the first valve 118 to pump the carbon dioxide gas from the carbon dioxide cylinder 112 into the rice storage chamber 102. In such embodiment of the present invention, the gas control module 204 may be configured to open the first valve 118 based on the generated carbon dioxide gas controlling signal.
[0041] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the gas control module 204 may be configured to close the second valve 120 to stop the flow of the oxygen gas from entering into the rice storage chamber 102. In such embodiment of the present invention, the gas control module 204 may be configured to close the second valve 120 based on the generated oxygen gas controlling signal.
[0042] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for storing the rice under the carbon dioxide and nitrogen rich environment, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] At step 302, the system 100 may receive the sensed oxygen level and the carbon dioxide level from the oxygen sensor 106 and the carbon dioxide sensor 108.
[0044] At step 304, the system 100 may compare the sensed carbon dioxide level with the pre-defined level of carbon dioxide. The method 300 may proceed to a step 308, when the sensed carbon dioxide level is less than or equal to the corresponding pre-defined level of carbon dioxide. Otherwise, the method 300 may return to the step 302.
[0045] At step 306, the system 100 may compare the sensed oxygen level with the pre-defined level of oxygen. The method 300 may proceed to a step 310, when the sensed oxygen level exceeds the corresponding pre-defined level of oxygen. Otherwise, the method 300 may return to the step 302.
[0046] At the step 308, the system 100 may open the first valve 118 of the carbon dioxide cylinder 112 to pump the carbon dioxide gas from the carbon dioxide cylinder 112 to the rice storage chamber 102.
[0047] At the step 310, the system 100 may close the second valve 120 of the oxygen cylinder 114 to stop the flow of the oxygen gas from entering into the rice storage chamber 102.
[0048] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0049] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A system (100) for storing rice under carbon dioxide and nitrogen rich environment, the system (100) comprising:
a rice storage chamber (102) to receive and store rice bags; and
a multi gas controller (104) attached to the rice storage chamber (102), wherein the multi gas controller (104) is switched on or off by a user to control gases inside the rice storage chamber (102), wherein the multi gas controller (104) comprises:
an oxygen sensor (106) configured to sense a level of oxygen in the rice storage chamber (102);
a carbon dioxide sensor (108) configured to sense a level of carbon dioxide inside the rice storage chamber (102); and
a control unit (110) connected to the oxygen sensor (106) and the carbon dioxide sensor (108), wherein the control unit (110) is configured to:
receive the sensed oxygen level and the sensed carbon dioxide level from the oxygen sensor (106) and the carbon dioxide sensor (108);
compare the sensed carbon dioxide level with a pre-defined level of carbon dioxide;
compare the sensed oxygen level with a pre-defined level of oxygen;

open a first valve (118) of a carbon dioxide cylinder (112) to pump carbon dioxide gas from the carbon dioxide cylinder (112) into the rice storage chamber (102), when the sensed carbon dioxide level is less than or equal to the pre-defined level of carbon dioxide; and
close a second valve (120) of an oxygen cylinder (114) to stop a flow of oxygen gas from entering into the rice storage chamber (102) when the sensed oxygen level exceeds the pre-defined level of oxygen.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein wall joints of the rice storage chamber (102) are sealed with an elastic paint.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carbon dioxide cylinder (112) is attached to the rice storage chamber (102).
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the oxygen cylinder (114) is attached to the rice storage chamber (102).
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a nitrogen pumping unit (116) attached to the rice storage chamber (102).
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the nitrogen pumping unit (116) is having a Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) nitrogen generator to generate 99% pure nitrogen gas to be pumped inside the rice storage chamber (102).
7. A method for storing rice under carbon dioxide and nitrogen rich environment, wherein the method comprising steps of:
receiving a sensed oxygen level and a sensed carbon dioxide level from an oxygen sensor (106) and a carbon dioxide sensor (108);
comparing the sensed carbon dioxide level with a pre-defined level of carbon dioxide;
comparing the sensed oxygen level with a pre-defined level of oxygen;
opening a first valve (118) of a carbon dioxide cylinder (112) to pump carbon dioxide gas from the carbon dioxide cylinder (112) into a rice storage chamber (102), when the sensed carbon dioxide level is less than or equal to the pre-defined level of carbon dioxide; and
closing a second valve (120) of an oxygen cylinder (114) to stop a flow of oxygen gas from entering into the rice storage chamber (102) when the sensed oxygen level exceeds the pre-defined level of oxygen.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the carbon dioxide cylinder (112) is attached to the rice storage chamber (102).
9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the oxygen cylinder (114) is attached to the rice storage chamber (102).
10. The method as claimed in claim 7, comprising a step of pumping pure nitrogen gas inside the rice storage chamber (102) by a nitrogen pumping unit (116).
Date: November 16, 2022
Place: Noida

Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant