This technology is a freshness maintenance device and method that integrates a gas separation module—which separates oxygen and nitrogen from intake air—with a food storage cooling circuit to supply nitrogen-enriched gas to the storage unit. The air intake line and module body are encased in a high-temperature refrigerant path, while the nitrogen outlet line is encased in a low-temperature path to facilitate heat exchange.
Refrigerators maintain freshness by slowing food respiration and oxidation rates through low temperatures. Recently, research has explored storing food in high-nitrogen environments to further delay oxidation. However, practical implementation has been limited, and integrating separate nitrogen generators often leads to increased size and noise.
This technology uses high-temperature refrigerant between the compressor and condenser to heat intake air, increasing pressure and heating the module to boost nitrogen flow. It also uses low-temperature refrigerant near the regulator and evaporator to cool the module or outlet gas, enhancing nitrogen purity. The control unit can select modes to increase supply via high-temperature circulation, improve purity via low-temperature circulation, or switch between them once a target concentration is reached, all based on real-time nitrogen levels. Applicable to home nitrogen-storage refrigerators, cold storage for produce, and supermarket fresh food showcases, it enables compact, quiet nitrogen supply using only the existing refrigeration cycle's heat and cold, without extra heaters or coolers.
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