MUMBAI, India, June 22 -- Intellectual Property India has published a patent application (202641050044 A) filed by Nandha Engineering College on April 20, 2026, for Next Generation Onion Preservation System To Extend Shelf Life And Quality Using Nitrogen Gas With Iot.
Inventors include Dr. R Murugasami; R Anitha; K Dhanush; S Jayavarman; and K Kavipriya.
The application for the patent was published on June 12, 2026, under issue no. 24/2026.
Abstract: 7. ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION The present invention proposes a smart onion preservation system that combines nitrogen-based storage with loT monitoring to reduce post-harvest spoilage and extend the shelf life of onions, Onions are highly sensitive to environmental conditions such as temperature changes, humidity, oxygen exposure, microbial growth, and sprouting during storage, Traditional storage methods depend on natural ventilation or manual inspection, which cannot maintain stable conditions, Cold storage can reduce spoilage but requires high electricity and infrastructure costs, making it unsuitabl for many small farmers, As a result, a large quantity of harvested onions is lost, causing economic losses and supply instability, To address this issue, the proposed system creates a controlled nitrogen rich environment inside an airtight storage chamber, Nitrogen is an inert gas that safely replaces oxygen and slows biological processes responsible for spoilage, Initially, a vacuum pump removes air from the chamber to lower oxygen levels. Nitrogen is then introduced through an automatically controlled solenoid valve. The storage conditions are continuously monitored using sensors including the Sensirion SHT3Ji for temperature and humidity, the Rapidox II 00 oxygen analyzer for precise oxygen measurement, and the WIKA lOA pressure sensor to monitor internal pressure. These sensors ensure tha !temperature, humidity, oxygen level, and pressure remain within safe limits. An ESP32 Wi-Fi microcontroller controls the entire system. It collects sensor data, compares i jwith preset limits, and automatically adjusts nitrogen flow through the solenoid valve when required. If pressure rises or humidity becomes too high, the system takes corrective actions or sends alerts. All sensor data is transmitted to a cloud platform, allowing fanners and storage managers to monitm the storage environment remotely using mobile phones or computers. The nitrogen-controlled environment reduces omon respiration, delays sprouting, and limits !microbial growth, while controlled humidity prevents rotting. Unlike chemical preservation methods, nitrogen is safe and environmentally friendly. The system also consumes much less energy compared to conventional cold storage, making it suitable for rural areas and small-scale farmers. This technology helps reduce post-harvest losses, improves omon quality, and supports sustainable agriculture. It aligns with global goals such as SDG 2: Zero Hunger and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production by reducing food waste and improving storage efficiency. ~ Overall, the proposed system provides an affordable, automated, and scalable solution for long-term ~co onion preservation and can also be adapted for storing other agricultural crops,
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
