Smoke Technology Delivering Control of pests and Diseases using Pyrotechnic Chemistry Relatively New Technology Benefits of Using Smoke Generators Structure of a Smoke Generator Components  Oxidiser  Fuel  Inert Filler  Pesticide Delivering the Effect Burn Characteristics Relatively New Technology Pyrotechnic Chemistry has been around for approximately 50 years in various forms. The system is the perfect treatment for pests and diseases in the following areas:    Agriculture – Glasshouses on fruit and vegetables.    Horticulture – Ornamentals against mildew.    Food Storage – Disinfecting grain stores prior to storage.    Animal Health – Poultry houses to combat fungus.    Public Health – Warehouses, houses, ships holds, transport and storage. Benefits of Using Smoke Generators    Lower quantities of pesticide are required than to spray the same crop storage area.    Optimum effective use of small quantities of pesticide - Minimises impact on the environment.    Simple and easy to use - no special training required.    No special equipment required - cost saving.    Low operator exposure - health benefits to staff.    Low groundwater contamination - low environmental impact.    Smokes do not increase humidity - fungal growth is not encouraged.    Effective treatment in any enclosed area.    Short harvest interval - crops can be picked shortly after treatment.    Pesticide is deposited on vertical, horizontal and underside of horizontal surfaces - ensures thorough treatment.    Deal with flying insects - ensures thorough treatment.    Treat inaccessible areas - roofs, nooks and crannies can be successfully treated. Structure of a Smoke Generator Components Oxidiser Reacts with the fuel source to achieve optimum temperature range for the pesticide to volatilise.    Must be able to create the reaction below the “Red Heat” of combustion and decompose the heat source to create CO2 and water vapour to carry the pesticide.    Generally Potassium Chlorate. Fuel    Simple sugars such as Lactose or Sucrose are used.    This preserves the majority of the pesticide from destruction during the reaction.    The reaction of the fuel and oxidising agent creates the heat to volatilise the pesticide. Inert Filler    The primary function is to absorb excess heat during the reaction or act as a coolant to ensure the optimum burn temperature and rate of burning is achieved.    These act as carriers for liquid pesticides to present them in a both safe and east to use form. Pesticide    Must be capable of being volatilised with as little pyrolysis as possible.    Concentration in the formulation is at a level where it can be fully dispersed by the volume of combustion gases, and itself must not act as an inhibitor or ignition.    Must be registered through the appropriate legislative scheme in the country of use.    Approvals can only be achieved if the product is effective at the delivered dose against the target pest or disease and has acceptable toxicological and environmental profile. Delivering the Effect    The fuel and oxidiser are mixed in a ratio to give an optimum burning temperature in the range of 2500 – 4000 C    Reactions are highly exothermic for example: C12 H22 O11 + 8KCIO3 12 CO2 + 11 H2O + 8 KCI + heat    The heat produced causes the pesticide to volatilise.    The CO2 and water assist in the evolution of the pesticide    On cooling with the air the pesticide condenses to a cloud of solid or super cooled liquid particles.    Particle sizes distribution is from 5 u to less than 0.1 u.    Particles rise in a column to the roof or void and then gradually descend to settle out as a widespread light deposit. Burn Characteristics Burn characteristics for all types of pesticide smoke generators are fairly consistent.    Burn times 20-70 seconds dependent on the quantity of composition required.    Rate of emission 0.2 to 0.3 gm/s