Abstract: The present method relates to a novel means of safely applying peracetic acid (peroxyacetic acid or PAA) to inert solid surfaces and non-inert surfaces such as those found on various agricultural products including citrus fruit, pome fruit, potatoes, and vegetables to achieve an enhanced microbial effect. This is useful as a low cost means of sanitizing agricultural products in situ in the storage facility while simultaneously sanitizing the storage facility itself.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a regenerative particle/vapor separator to thermally convert various liquids used to treat stored agricultural products into vapor by: 1) Entraining the liquid in a turbulent mist and then effectuating a change of the liquid into a vapor intermixed with the mist; and, 2) Separating the vapor out of the mist while retaining the remaining mist for subsequent conversion to vapor. Some liquids used to treat stored agricultural products undergo the further step of thermally decomposing into beneficial gaseous byproducts which are also separated out of the mist. The vapor and/or gaseous byproducts are then applied to a stored mass of agricultural products to variously sanitize, clean, and chemically and biologically alter them.