Title: Low air flow fumigation method

Abstract: A method of treating an agricultural product, including the steps of placing the product within a storage container; providing a forced air supply to the container; introducing a gaseous chemical into the container, the particular chemical being selected for minimal sorption of the chemical by the product; and circulating the air and chemical mixture within the container through the product at a low rate of flow, utilizing the forced air supply, for a time sufficient to evenly distribute the chemical throughout the product volume. The rate at which the air is circulated is less than approximately 0.006 cfm/bu and is preferably maintained approximately between 0.0015 cfm/bu and 0.0008 cmf/bu. Hydrogen phosphide (phosphine) gas generated from aluminum phosphide is preferred as the chemical when the process is used for fumigation, but other gaseous fumigants exhibiting a low rate of sorption by agricultural products may also be used.

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Inventors: Cook, James S. (Houston, TX, US)

Application Number: 958984
Filing Date: 1978-11-09
Publication_date: 1980-04-29
Assignee:
Primary Class(es): 426/419 422/29, 422/32, 422/40, 422/128, 426/312, 426/320, 426/418
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

1613186	Jan, 1927	Moffett	426/319.
2461649	Feb, 1949	Manning	422/32.
3041684	Jul, 1962	Dawson et al.	422/32.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Richman, Barry S.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: De La Garza; Charles H.