Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating and delivering an aerosol of a unique composition for treating stored crops. One aspect of the invention is such a composition wherein at least 80% to 98% of the components thereof have a particle size value no greater than 10 microns, whereby nearly any type of aerosol generator may effectively generate the aerosol because the particle size distribution of the components eliminates the need for further particle size reduction. Another aspect of the invention is such a composition which includes components comprising solid carriers with stored crop treatments attached thereto. Preferably, a fine-grinding non-rotary ball mill produces the components at the desired particle size distribution. The solid carriers or other solid particles may provide a reduced caking tendency and may make the aerosol non-combustible regardless of the ignition source. The aerosol is typically generated at an ambient or near-crop-storage temperature, thus reducing fire hazards.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating and delivering an aerosol of a unique composition for treating stored crops. One aspect of the invention is such a composition wherein at least 80% to 98% of the components thereof have a particle size value no greater than 10 microns, whereby nearly any type of aerosol generator may effectively generate the aerosol because the particle size distribution of the components eliminates the need for further particle size reduction. Another aspect of the invention is such a composition which includes components comprising solid carriers with stored crop treatments attached thereto. Preferably, a fine-grinding non-rotary ball mill produces the components at the desired particle size distribution. The solid carriers or other solid particles may provide a reduced caking tendency and may make the aerosol non-combustible regardless of the ignition source. The aerosol is typically generated at an ambient or near-crop-storage temperature, thus reducing fire hazards.

Abstract: A stored crop treatment system includes a crop storage chamber and a gas stream circulation pathway which includes a re-circulation loop comprising the crop storage chamber. A feed mechanism feeds stored crop treatment material into a stream of gas moving through the re-circulation loop wherein the stream of gas comes from the crop storage chamber. A heat exchanger heats the stream of gas to thermally generate an aerosol of the stored crop treatment material. A blower moves the aerosol along the re-circulation loop to apply the aerosol to stored crops within the storage chamber. The circulation pathway includes a cooling gas loop comprising the crop storage chamber and a section of the re-circulation loop. Cooling gas from the crop storage chamber moves along the cooling gas loop into the section of the re-circulation loop to cool the heated stream of gas and aerosol prior to entering the crop storage chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying aerosols of chemical formulations to a stored crop is described. The aerosol may be generated by any suitable means using thermal aerosol generators or “cool” aerosol generators. The improvement is the use of the crop storage facility air in the generation of the aerosol and, or the cooling of the aerosol. An important use of the invention is the application of CIPC to stored potatoes.