Bin Heat Treatment Field Trials

Qualitative and quantitative loss due to the infestation of stored grain in concrete or steel bins and silos occurs due to a number of reasons such as moisture content of grain/product, temperature, relative humidity, level of sanitation and hygiene etc. One of the reasons for this loss or contamination is the residual insect population in empty bins and silos before grain or product is transferred into it.  Insect heat treatment is a safe and viable solution.

Constraints In Chemical Treatment Of Bins & Silos

Pre-loading or pre-harvest chemical treatment of empty bins and silos presents some challenges in pest control in addition to safety and risks to humans and livestock. Some of these are:

1. Accessibility and tedious application: chemicals may not reach all places, especially cracks and crevices, where insects and immature stages might reside.
   
2. Chemical drip and penetration: For on-farm flat bottom bins/silos with perforated floors, there is an accumulation of foreign material, dockage, or broken grain below the floor, and the perforations of floor also tend to be clogged. This results in chemical drip and a non-uniform application resulting in insect survival and spread of infestation after loading the bin.
   
3. Non-uniformity: Blowing diatomaceous earth (DE) through a fan may not result in a uniform application and regular application through fans may have detrimental effects due to the abrasive nature of DE.
   
4. Availability: Some chemicals may no longer be available.
   
5. Pesticide applicator license: Phosphine or a similar chemical may be used but requires a pesticide applicator’s license.
   
6. Chemical residues on walls and the floor could be a problem when the product or grain is stored and later transferred into the storage structure.
   
7. A chemical application within a facility without disrupting production might not be possible.

Advantages of Heat-Treating Bins & Silos Heat-treating empty bins and silos can overcome most of the above constraints. Some of the distinct advantages of heat-treating bins and silos are: Treat metal or concrete bins/silos in shorter times (4 to maximum 12 hours). No retrofitting or structural changes to the bins/silos. Heat is non-toxic, non-residual and non-corrosive. Heat-treat bins in a plant in rotation when they become empty using a portable heater. On-farm bins can be heat-treated before loading harvested grain. No pesticide applicator’s license required, allowing for a heat-it-yourself approach. Great fit for organic storage structures and processing plants.

THP-500 Heating a Silo

Heat Treatment – Solution, Service & Heat-It-Yourself Approach

Heat-treating a bin requires three major components: a heater, temperature sensors, and ductwork. TEMP-AIR will customize the solution to your specific requirements depending on the size and number of bins/silos to be treated.

The heat-it-yourself approach means we will perform the heat treatment for the first time while training your personnel to do it themselves with our equipment. Equipment may be rented or purchased from TEMP-AIR. This approach not only reduces frequent service charges but also gives our customers the flexibility to heat-treat bins/silos as required. The same heaters may also be used for spot heat treatments in a food processing plant or warehouse.

Recently, TEMP-AIR completed collaborative research with Purdue University, funded by the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC), demonstrating the efficacy of heat to control stored product pests in bins and silos. For this project TEMP-AIR designed an all-in-one mobile heating solution, the MHT-1500,  which includes a generator, 150-gallon propane tank, heating units, and ductwork. Various other equipment options are available.