Abstract A process of fumigation with homogenization and activation of the inter- and intra-granular atmosphere, and the installation for the carrying-out of such process, the said process essentially consisting of subjecting the products to be fumigated to appropriate vacuum conditions during a determined period in a phase prior to fumigation, thus achieving a homogenization of the inter- and intra-granular atmosphere and an activation of the respiratory capacity of the insects concerned. The installation necessary to apply the process in accordance with the present invention consists, in general terms, of one or more metal recipients of large capacity, each one of which is provided with orifices or mouths for loading and unloading, in addition to others for connections of vacuum conduits, of ventilationrecirculation and of injection of the fumigant.
An apparatus for the fumigation under vacuum of granulated foodstuffs, comprising: a plurality of hermetically sealed tanks; means for the introduction to said tanks and removal from said tanks of the products to be treated; vacuum means common to all the tanks and including a vacuum pump, a vacuum pipeline, branches of the vacuum pipeline to each tank, corresponding opening and closing valves for the tanks, and a dry filter fitted in said vacuum pipeline adjacent the intake side of the pump; and means for introducing fumigants into the interior of said tanks.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for the fumigation under vacuum of granulated foodstuffs, comprising: a plurality of hermetically sealed tanks; means for the introduction to said tanks and removal from said tanks of the products to be treated; vacuum means common to all the tanks and including a vacuum pump, a vacuum pipeline, branches of the vacuum pipeline to each tank, corresponding opening and closing valves for the tanks, and a dry filter fitted in said vacuum pipeline adjacent the intake side of the pump; and means for introducing fumigants into the interior of said tanks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
125 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, including a line for the ventilation of the product in the interior of the tanks, which line comprises: a ventilation pipeline for the suction of air, common to all the tanks; a dry filter in one end of said ventilation pipeline open to the exterior, the other end being in communication with the outlet of the vacuum pump; spherical valves situated immediately adjacent both ends of the ventilation pipeline; corresponding branches for the entry of air into each of the tanks; associated valves connected between each branch and each tank; and an outlet to the exterior with a corresponding valve situated immediately adjacent the pump connection in order to permit the exit of the air to the exterior.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
An apparatus in accordance with the claim 1, wherein said means for introducing fumigants comprises: a fumigant container; an element for measuring and vaporizing fumigants and communicating with said fumigant container; and a fumigant pipeline connected to said measuring and vaporizing element, and to each tank, by means of branches fitted with membrane valves for the selected introduction of the fumigant which, once it is in the interior of the tank, can be recirculated under vacuum by closing said membrane valves and opening the valves associated with the vacuum and ventilation pipelines, there thus being established a circuit of recirculation under vacuum of the fumigant.