Abstract

CHAVEZ-AGUILERA, Noel et al. Desing, construction and evaluation of trunk type equipment for agriculture sustrate disinfection with heat. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2010, vol.1, n.1, pp.17-26. ISSN 2007-0934.

The objective of this study was the design, construction and evaluation of equipment for in static disinfection of agricultural substrates by applying heat from hot air and aerated steam sources. The research was conducted in 2005 at the workshops and laboratories of the Universidad Autonoma Chapingo, Texcoco, State of Mexico, Mexico. A factorial 2*2*3 experimental design was utilized, the first factor was the source and means of heat transfer: 1) electrical resistance and hot air and 2) combustion of diesel and aerated steam, the second factor was substrate moisture content:75 and 61% and disinfection time: 15, 30 and 45 min. The studied variables were: time to reach the desired temperature, temperature range during disinfection, disinfection efficiency of Fusarium oxisporum culmorum, specific energy cost. Disinfection with hot air showed higher values of time to reach the desired temperature, temperature range, disinfection efficiency and specific energy cost than with aerated steam.

Keywords : pasteurization of substrates; physical methods; protected agriculture; technology.