Gas mixer and analyser for MAP

The MAP Mix Provectus from PBI-Dansensor is a ‘smart’ gas mixer for modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). It can be coupled to the company’s gas analyser, MAP Check 3, to provide constant monitoring and automatic adjustment of mixture and flow to achieve maximum efficiency.

The mixer uses the latest mass flow technology - used widely in the gas industry but which has not until now been exploited for the food packaging sector. This allows the mixer to be housed in an extremely small cabinet and yet to exhibit great versatility and a high flow rate. The large amount of different gas mixtures typically used in MAP can be achieved with only two different MAP Mix Provectus models.

The gas mixer can deliver flow of up to 1500 L/min and if greater capacity is needed it is simply a case of coupling together more units. There is very low pressure drop over the mixer, making it suitable for working with nitrogen or oxygen generators.

There are ten different programs allowing the operator to set parameters such as gas mix and outlet pressure, and so forth. An intuitive touch-screen display makes the mixer simple to operate and it contains all the necessary connectivity for data logging control.

The gas analyser has a 5″ colour touch screen for easy use, and good connectivity for data logging and control through USB, ethernet and Modbus TCP and is delivered with PC software. MAP Check 3 allows the operator to combine monitoring of gas content on a vertical or horizontal flow packaging machine with real-time control of package flushing via an advanced GasSave function. For most manufacturers, this could translate into a 20-50% decrease in gas consumption.

MAP Check 3 is designed to operate seamlessly in tandem with the MAP Mix Provectus. The analyser constantly monitors the gas mixture entering the packaging machine. If it detects a change in the oxygen level it can send a signal back to the mixer to make the appropriate adjustments of the gas flow automatically. This feedback control ensures that the correct amount of gas enters the package at all times for efficiency, consistency and quality assurance and, therefore, reduced waste and increased cost savings.