Fumigation of agricultural prod. e.g. flour or rice - by introducing fumigant gas into container contg. the prod., and then aerating the mixt. at low air flow rate

摘要

Fumigation of an agricultural prod. stored in a container comprises (i) introducing into the container a gaseous chemical fumigant selected for minimal sorption by the agricultural prod.; and (ii) forcing the fumigant and air through the prod. at a flow rate such that the prod. undergoes one gaseous volume change in is not 1.5 hrs. The process is partic. useful in fumigating farinaceous prods. such as flour and whole or processed grains. An even distribution of chemicals is provided without the need for large and expensive air recirculating equipment or the need for an excessive amt. of chemicals. E.g. a 200,000 bushel capacity tank can be aerated at a flow rate of 0.001 cfm/bu requiring only 1/3 horsepower blower supplying a 4 1/2" dia. air duct. The method can be used for treating the agricultural prod. with any gaseous chemical. E.g. the process can be a deodorising treatment.