Procedure
The three stages of the ThermoNox® heat treatment
The optimal temperature for pests to reproduce is about 60 - 95 °F (15 - 35 °C). If temperatures reach 115 °F (46 °C), insects, larvae, and eggs are killed within hours. At these high temperatures, all proteins in their body are destroyed by thermal denaturation. This process is similar to what happens when boiling eggs. As such, the ThermoNox® treatment eradicates pest without the need for potentially harmful chemicals.
Step 1: Heating
The ambient air is warmed gradually to about 120 °F by recirculation. This takes about 15 to 30 hours depending on the structure and a number of other factors.
Step 2: Maintaining a stable temperature
The lethal temperature is maintained for about 10 - 25 hours. Again, this depends on the room size and layout.
Step 3: Cooling
The heaters are shut off and furniture, air, and structures are allowed to cool down. This process is gradual. The fans are still operating to guarantee a slow and controlled cooling process. This phase typically takes minimum 12 hours.
Typical duration times:
Heating one room in a larger structure, such as a hotel room, takes about 24 hours. An entire building, such as a plant or mill, often needs to be heated for about 48 hours.
Typical Energy consumption:
The consumption of energy has an average consumption of 6 - 12 kWh per 100 cubic ft.
Partial treatment
A partial heat treatment may be useful in some situations. For example, for parts of machinery in a bakery or the tobacco industry.
- Removable parts for heavy machinery can be heat-treated in a separate room.
- Alternatively, machinery can be wrapped and insulated from the rest of the room.