There are ammonia detection systems available from several suppliers. These systems are relatively low cost compared to the losses and costs of a major leak.
For example, several years ago a major ammonia leak occurred in a CA room, the effect of which was to damage a full room of high quality Pink Lady™ apples.
The leak also created major damage to the absorbing material (CMS) in the nitrogen generating system. The cost for this damage was approximately half of the replacement cost of the machine, which was expected to be replaced by the insurer. However, a lengthy legal battle followed and continued for over two years.
The grower had to continue using the nitrogen generator which was working at less than 50% efficiency. This caused significant problems in controlling atmospheres correctly. Eventually agreement was reached, and the grower was able to replace the faulty nitrogen generator.
Excellent value & peace of mind
If you consider a conservative estimate of the costs involved in this exercise (the legal costs alone were around $80,000), the inconvenience, and the time taken up by the fruit grower; and then compare this to the costs of an ammonia detection system (around $11,000–$15,000 subject to the number of CA rooms), you can see the unit is excellent value for money and provides an alarm system for peace of mind.
Alarm system
The alarm system’s standard features include alarm outputs to:
- phone dialler or
- SMS messaging to mobiles, tablets etc.
Safety
Ammonia leaks are potentially life threatening if exposed to high levels in a confined area, so growers should consider what they can do to protect employees.
ACS has installed several ammonia detection systems measuring all rooms and the plant room, and there are several options available to growers.
It is now more common to fit a detector in the refrigeration plant room as a minimum, and in some states this is now mandatory.
For more information see the November 2012 Tree Fruit
