Restrain ICA731 Operator's Handbook Manual

Brand: Restrain

Model: ICA731

Type: Operator's Handbook Manual

ICA731

Digital Restrain Sensor

Potatoes

Operators Handbook

1. Purpose:

The ICA 731 Digital Restrain sensor is for use with the ICA740/760 Restrain

generator to control and maintain a stable ethylene concentration within a

Potato store.

The sensor includes a highly sensitive electrochemical detector and digital

electronics to provide the needed intelligence to control the output and

operation of the Restrain machine in order to maintain the required

ethylene regime

2. Handling:

The measuring sensor is extremely sensitive and easily damaged by

exposure to high levels of hydrocarbon gas.

The sensors are supplied in sealed plastic containers or sealed gas proof

bags and should remain packed until required for operation.

WARNING: The Restrain Sensor for measuring the ethylene levels in store

must be kept away from Restrain Fuel (ethanol) & chemical cleaning

materials at all times. (Even when switched off or in transport). Fumes

from the fuel will permanently damage the sensor.

For protection against contamination the sensors are transported and

stored in a sealed plastic container or a gas sealed bag. They should be

removed from the packing and placed in position only when machine is

about to be started up.

The sensor can also be affected by forklift exhaust fumes. Incorrect readings

will be obtained when these are operating in the vicinity, but are not of high

enough concentrations under normal operating conditions to cause

permanent damage to the Sensor.

3. Position:

The sensor and machine is supplied with a 30m connection cable. The Sensor

should be located at a position of good air circulation towards the centre of

the potato store and at least 15m away from the machine. Protect the

machine and cable from potential damage from fork trucks and store

loading/unloading activity

4. Connection:

Connect the sensor to the machine together using the CAT5 connection

cable provided. Alternative cable lengths can be used with a maximum of

50m and a minimum of 10m.

Connection to

Restrain Machine

Socket for CO2

detector

Built in

temperature

sensor

The optional CO2 detector can be connected to the sensor through

the socket provided. Details for this are in the CO2 sensor instruction

manual.

In the 721 system the ambient room temperature is monitored from

the black aluminium heat collector shown above. There is no separate

probe.

5. Operational Protocol

When using the Restrain System in Ware Potatoes* the “Slow Start”

programme must be used. This should be selected when ethylene is being

introduced to a stock

of ware potatoes for the first time.

When set to the Slow Start programme the Restrain Generator automatically

and gradually increases the level of ethylene in the store from a starting level

of 0.2% Restrain (0.1 ppm ethylene) to 20% Restrain (10 ppm ethylene) over a

20 day period.

This is to ensure the most efficient operation of the machine and to avoid high

respiration levels of the potatoes which could be detrimental.

Care should be taken before commencing the Slow Start to ensure that the

store atmosphere is clear of internal combustion engine fumes.

The RESTRAIN Store Management protocol shown in appendix 1 in MUST

always be followed.

Restrain slow start programme

6. Operation:

The Day number in the slow start programme is shown on the blue digital

display.

(From time to time the blue display will flicker this is normal and occurs

when the memory is being updated.)

The default setting for a new sensor (as of July 2015) is:

This setting is past day 20, so the slow start is not active.

To set the sensor to activate slow start push the RESET switch for about 6

seconds.

This sets the display to -5.

The green “ON” LED will blink rapidly indicate that the slow start is active.

To set the day required push the ADVANCE switch. The day will then

advance on every push and release of the button.

To operate the push buttons use a small screwdriver or similar.

Insert into hole and push gently.

The day settings starts at -5 and increases to 0 and then to 1 and so on.

The machine will start the slow start sequence on day 1.

The negative days allow setting up to 5 days before the actual start is

required.

The day count is retained when power is removed but the count does not

advance without power.

The day change is counted as 24Hrs from the time of starting. It does not

change at any set time of day.

The slow start lasts for 19 days, after that the days stop counting, the display

reads 2- and the control level remains at the maximum 20% Restrain.

If for any reason the day has to be changed press the RESET as described

above and set again as required.

7. Lifetime:

The Restrain detector and

supporting battery has a limited

life of typically 18 months. The

label in the window indicated the

sensor expiry date.

The sensor section is replaceable

and is illustrated here. See

separate instructions for

replacement.

The sensor stops operating when

the expiry date is exceeded

8. Maximum machine output rate:

In normal operation the ethylene output from the generator is regulated from

the sensor and its rate will depend on the set point and the measured value in

the room.

If the room is small and the control is overshooting the maximum output from

the machine can be reduced.

A switch within the ICA731 sensor is used to limit the ethylene output of the

generator.

This switch has 16 positions and reduces the maximum output in 16 equal

steps as below.

Position 0 is full output

Position 8 is half output

Position C is 1/4 Output

Position E is 1/8 Output

Position F is 1/16 Output

9. Green indicator light.

The green indicator light flashes at about 3 times/second when in slow start

Operation.

The green indicator light flashes at about 1 per second when slow start is

finished and in normal operation.

The green indicator light is off when the expiry date has been exceeded.

The green indicator light flashes at about 10 times/second when fitted with an

uncalibrated sensor card.

The output from the sensor to the machine is digital and numbered 1

to 64 with 1being OFF and 64 being the machines maximum rate.

This number is displayed on the machine; see the machine

instructions about how to view this.

Appendix 1:

Prepack Ware Potato Storage Protocol October 2007 onwards

(Issue date 24-09-07 )

Minimising the respiration rate increase in the stored crop during the

introduction of ethylene is important. Following the simple steps below will

enable you to use Restrain system successfully.

The RESTRAIN machine and sensor should have been serviced and calibrated

by an authorised engineer before the storage season is started.

1. The potato crop must be of good quality and settled in store and

reached the holding temperature.

2. Only the pre-programmed Slow Start Up Restrain program should be

used on prepack potatoes.

3. Restrain can only be introduced when the crop shows signs the first

signs of eye movement.

4. When ethylene is introduced air must be circulated continuously within

the store for the first 3 weeks to avoid the localised build up of carbon

dioxide. (Elevated carbon dioxide above 0.5% increases respiration

rates).

5. Flush the store daily with fresh air if carbon dioxide levels are likely to

exceed 0.5%. If you are unsure please contact Restrain Company and we

will check your store for you.

6. For Restrain treatments before 1st November please contact Restrain

Company so that respiration rates and store CO2 levels can be checked.

7. After 1st November all varieties can be treated without contacting

Restrain Company with the exception of Maris Piper, King Edward, and

Marfona.

8. For Restrain treatments before 1st January of Maris Piper, King Edward,

and Marfona please contact Restrain Company so that respiration rates

and store CO2 levels can be checked.

9. All varieties can be treated after January 1st without contacting Restrain

Company.

10. Restrain may be used later in the storage season following CIPC to avoid

the need for a second application and high CIPCresidues.

Appendix 1:

USE OF AMBIENT AIR

To minimise fuel usage during ambient air use there are two options:-

An additional controller which turns off the Restrain System whilst out side

air is being used can be fitted.

The Restrain Generator can be set on the existing settings to limit the fuel

usage and not operate at maximum fuel rates.

Please contact Restrain Company Limited if you require either option.

The Restrain Generator should be left in operation until all of the potatoes

have been removed from store & marketed.

An interval of 3 days between removal from store and consumption should

be observed.

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Restrain ICA731 Operator's Handbook Manual

Brand: Restrain

Model: ICA731

Type: Operator's Handbook Manual

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Restrain ICA731 Operator's Handbook Manual

Restrain ICA731 Operator's Handbook Manual

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