Insecticide/fungicide introduced into controlled atmosphere chamber

摘要

Apparatus and method for introducing one or more airborne substances such as insecticide, fungicide, fumigant or bactericide into the controlled oxygen atmosphere (11) within a chamber (10) and adjusting the chamber atmosphere such that the concentration of the substance does not substantially exceed a predetermined amount. The substance can be carbon dioxide. The substance may be a liquid and introduced as a mist, atomised spray or by vaporisation. The method comprising: (a) maintaining the oxygen concentration at a setpoint by monitoring the oxygen concentration and following detection of the oxygen concentration has fallen below the setpoint, admitting an input containing oxygen, and permitting chamber atmosphere to exit; (b) removing oxygen from the chamber atmosphere at a rate sufficient to require continual admission of the input into the chamber to maintain the oxygen concentration at the setpoint; and (c) introducing the substance into in chamber atmosphere at a predetermined rate.