Apparatus for applying sprout inhibitor

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The aforementioned objectives of an apparatus for applying sprout-inhibiting chemicals to produce in storage are met by the apparatus of the present invention, resulting in more efficient production and more uniform and effective application of an aerosol of a sprout-inhibiting chemical agent, less deposition of chemical on storehouse and air duct surfaces and thus less waste of chemical, less requirement for cleaning and less fire hazard, and minimizing chemical decomposition of the sprout-inhibiting chemical agent.
In the preferred method of practicing the invention, a sprout-inhibiting liquid chemical agent comprising isopropyl N-3 chlorophenylcarbamate (CIPC), either without any solvent or with a minimum amount of a suitable organic solvent such as a vegetable oil, is heated to a temperature which reduces the viscosity of the agent without causing chemical breakdown of the CIPC.
The liquid agent is then atomized by being passed with pressurized air through sonic resonance nozzles, producing an aerosol including a finely divided mist of droplets of the agent.
A supply of ambient circulation air is introduced, moving the aerosol in a downward helix within a cylindrical centrifugal vortex separator and causing the larger particles of the aerosol to flow toward the perimeter of the centrifugal separator, while the predominantly smaller particles of the aerosol proceed through a mechanical scrubber which filters or separates out nearly all the remaining particles above the desired size limit by preventing their passage through the scrubber.
The remaining finely atomized aerosol is then circulated through a plenum and thence through perforated circulation conduits under the stacks of produce in the storage area to distribute the aerosol of sprout-inhibiting agent among and around and into contact with the surfaces of the produce.
Limitation of the size of aerosol particles to 10 microns or less in diameter provides an aerosol whose particles remain longer in air suspension rather than being deposited on surfaces of the air circulation system fan blading and ducting, or on storage area walls and ceilings, and which is distributed more uniformly on the produce, than is the case with larger particles