A method for killing pests by means of a heating cable.

[0001] The invention concerns a method for killing pests in organic material by means of a heating cable and the use of a heating cable.

[0002]Amethod for killing pests, in particular animal pests, many are known. Method, the pests by killing elevated temperature, are particularly environmentally friendly, because the use of toxins is avoided. The typical method for killing pests using hot air can be mentioned, e.g. as Dr U.I.C. eagles, center. Dtschdtsch.ges. general angewangew. entent. 16, sides 319 - 3222, casting, and in the case of Integrated protection in 2008 from the same author Produkte IOBC Bulletin and stored Procedure, Voij. 25 (3) 2002, 199 - 203 Side was described. The Aufbzw. Introducing heat into organic material but is usually expensive. Bulk material is dried, are, when using hot air is required e.g. a sheath, the prevents the escape of hot air, when a uniform heating of the organic bulk material to be guaranteed.

[0003] The killing pests wherein lumpy objects designed even more difficult. According to a first alternative articles to be packaged airtight it is hot air into the envelope and entwesende blown. Since e.g. a roof truss can be difficult but airtight packaging, the first alternative is not always usable. According to a second alternative heating rods are used in boreholes into the wood. It is disadvantageous, that the introduction of the boreholes all objects is not possible. According to a third alternative heatable foils placed on the surface of the organic material. Adjusting the film to the surface to be heated often appears to be problematic.

[0004] It is the purpose of the invention, a simple method for killing pests in organic material to propose, the applicable also for complicated surface well. A method according to claim 1 or this problem is solved by using a regulated heating cable according to claim 9.

[0005] The above problem is solved with a method for killing pests in organic material comprising the steps of applying a heating cable on the surface of the organic material and to a temperature of at least 45 °c of activating the heating cable, preferably over at least 30 minutes of at least 56 °c in organic material is reached.

[0006] Heating cable can be used as any cable, may be heated and the heat in the organic material initiates. Typically a cable with wires of copper or a copper alloy can or alternatively another material, preferably a resistor as the copper or higher, are used. The heating cable preferably has a flat shape on, so that a large contact surface with the organic material as possible. It is particularly preferred, if the heating cable a plurality of juxtaposed wires, so that the heating cable is formed wider than strip, may be placed on or in the organic material. The heating cable is advantageous on heating to a predetermined temperature adapted the manufacturing process, the cross-section and/or the material of the wires or e.g. by electrical conductor. Typically are available heating cable, to a temperature of about 40 °c to 150 °c extending to the heating.

[0007] More preferably the heating cable can be provided with an automatic control for the current flow, the current flow is increased so that, when a predetermined temperature is not yet reached, so if the organic material is wet or cold and heat emitted by the heating cable receives quickly. Advantageously the heating cable is a self-regulating heating cable or automatic therefore, the only connection with the power source needed, ready to be activated or to be. The current flow decreases, the organic material is warmer and drier or correspondingly less rapid thermal heating cable derives from. The current flow is then throttled. This soaking of the organic material at a uniform granted simultaneously the thrifty use of energy. In addition prevents overheating of the organic material. The heating cable is a temperature of at least 40 °c to 150 °c heated invention. This is the temperature of the heating cable so selected, on the one hand that the organic material to a temperature of at least 45 °c, preferably at least 56 °c for at least 30 minutes the organic material is heated and on the other hand not inflamed or otherwise being damaged. It has been found to be advantageous, that the heating of the organic material prevents a up-damp, for example by condensation water formation can take place by a defective or cover.

[0008] The organic material can be e.g. wood, wood material, cereal, fruit (pulses) or other dry organic material. The organic material can be pieces, or installed in a larger mobile or immobile object free flowing. Organic material can, e.g. unsachgemässer storage, missing or incorrect installation of pests are afflicted with protective measures, usually animal pests, but also of fungi. A heat treatment, wherein the organic material for a period of at least 30 minutes to at least 45 °c, preferably at least 56 °c is heated, the pests by the larvae or dolls degenerate reliably destroyed.

[0009] The heating cable is mounted on the surface of the organic material. It is the organic material for example bulk material, the heating cable being laid in the material can simply, e.g. can be hung in a container heating cable, then the organic material or the heating cable in the poured in with organic material filled containers discharged. The heating cable are fixed on a rod can alternatively, discharged into the bulk material. As another alternative to a rod heating cable means vibrating in bulk can be a bound are driven, so that the surface of an organic bulk material particle rests on the heating cable. The organic material has greater dimensions on, can the heating cable to be wrapped in a simple embodiment the material to be treated. The invention is a method without engaging the organic material instead; it operates overlooking the organic material without destroying it.

[0010] The heating cable can be constructed as a network of heating cables, wherein the current flow in the network also preferably by an automatic control is adjusted. A network of heating cables can advantageously be constructed from prefabricated units, so that several smaller networks to a large network can be assembled. The distance between the heating function of the power of the heating cable or cables can preferably of the wires of the heating cable and the temperature in the organic material to be achieved are selected. For the configuration of the network can be advantageously used network holder. The heating cable can be linked together via plug connections for example, may also be used as spacers if necessary network holder, can be connected to a network through which the heating cable electrically. Holder for connecting the heating cable can further network are used, to define the shape of the network, e.g. clip, clips or the like.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the invention are fixing means for fixing the heating cable network or on organic material used. The heating cable or the network may for example with loops, pins, with tapes, optionally elastic bands, or adhesive on organic material are fixed. In this way ensures, that a uniform soaking of the organic material occurs. In particular, when the organic material to be treated has a flat surface, e.g. a plane wood surface or the flat surface heaped grain, then the heating cable or can also directly into the surface of a grooved support also the heating wires are inserted. Also heating wires, are inserted in the surface of a grooved support, for the purposes of this invention are heating cable.

[0012] The economics of the process of the invention is particularly promoted, if after a further extension of the invention the heating cable or the network from the environment, i.e. on the side facing away from the surface of the organic material to be heated is thermally insulated. The thermal insulation preferably covers the entire surface of the organic material to be heated from, i.e., both the heating cable and the surface of the material being heated. In this way the whole of the heat emitted from the heating cables or cables in the organic material is fed from the network of heating, so that the heating or drying quickly, completely and without heat loss occurs. The thermal insulation can enclose a heating cable. The thermal insulation can itself but also, when partially encloses heating wires, said heating wires act as a carrier, so that a heating wire, the heat insulating material is fixed on a support, for the purposes of this invention is a heating cable.

[0013] It is further object of the invention, a heating cable, in particular with automatic control, also referred to as the self-regulating heating cable, for killing pests in organic material use.

[0014] Details of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to embodiments. It shows:

1 Schematic representation of an arrangement for killing pests figfig. in one piece wood

2 Schematic representation of an arrangement for killing pests in cereal figfig.

3 Schematic representation of a grain container provided with heating cables figfig..

[0015] 1 Shows a device 1 for killing pests figfig. in organic material 2, here in wood. 3 On the surface of the wood is a heating cable 4. The heating cable is represented here as a round cable; alternatively the heating cable is 4 strip shaped. The heating cable 4 with heating wires are adapted from a copper alloy, to achieve a temperature of 70 °c. The heating cable is wound around the surface of the wood or 4 on, wherein the spirals of the heating cable are selected 4 at such a distance, that a predetermined temperature of e.g. 45 °c or 56 °c to a depth d for at least 30 minutes 2 organic material can be held. To this end the current flow in the heating cable is regulated, such that an optimum delivery of heat in the wood is achieved. The appropriate heating cable, arranged to, to achieve different temperatures, can be optimized by those skilled in a few try. A self-regulating heating cable is preferably used or automatic, the only required a power source, and then automatically the predetermined temperature achieved. Wherein a wet or cold object is initially much heat removed, is the self-regulating heating cable with more energy insert holding the predetermined temperature. The object dried or heated with time, less energy is required, to maintain the predetermined temperature. It is obvious, that this approach is very energy efficient.

[0016] The duration of the treatment is usually between 30 minutes and up to 10 days depending on the sensitivity of the organic material. Wherein sensitive material, e.g. a medieval wood painting or old instruments, is heated and the temperature is also very slowly lowered very slowly. At least 30 minutes at 45 °c however the predetermined temperature, preferably at least 56 °c or above that level. Only be completely destroyed by the action of heat the pests degenerate. The system also preferably comprises a timing circuit, will allow, that the heating cable over a predetermined minimum duration, optionally with a safety margin, is heated to the predetermined temperature.

[0017] The heating cable 4 is on the side facing away from the surface of the wood covered by thermal insulation 3 5. The insulation, e.g. of foamed plastic or mineral or rock wool fibers preferably covers the entire surface of the organic - 2 material. Here it surrounds the heating wires 4 in sections and assures, that the heat penetrates into the organic material as completely as possible. The heating cable can be of any shape and thereby also to complex surfaces 4, small or large, be adapted in a simple manner, without the organic material to be heated 2 attack.

[0018] Figfig. 2 shows a container 6, e.g. the storage space of a ship, into the heating cable 4 depending from a supply line 7. The supply line 7 is part of a network of heating cables 4 and connects the heating cable 4 with the control, the closer is not represented here. Alternatively individual heating cable, the be regulated individually, are hung into the container. The heating cable 4 are filled into the container 6 and hang from the cereals 8 enclosed therein. The cereal is heated by the heater 8 cable 4, so that pests are killed. The heating cable 4 hang in a number and distribution in the container 6, that is ensured, that the entire grain is heated to the predetermined temperature 8.

[0019] 1 And 2 each show individual heating cable figfig., optionally the supply line communicating current. 3 Figfig. shows an alternative embodiment. A plurality of heating cable are connected to a network 4 9. Here the heating cable 4 in this embodiment are arranged parallel to one another. They are by first network holder, here terminals 10, held in a predetermined relation to each other. The heating cable extending between second network holders 4, here supply lines 11, communicating with the control. The heating cable 4 feature heating wires made of metal, a copper alloy and are here on as an electrical resistance heater operated, whereby the heating cable 4 can be heated to a predetermined temperature. The discharged from the heating cables, thermal energy is introduced into the organic material, on which the heating cable 4 or the network 9 rest in the operating state. The network 3 may be connected with other networks figfig. according to 9, so that a total network is created, that a surface to be heated invention organic material. Size and shape of the finished network or network can be adjusted exactly to the surface to be heated such total. Also enable objects with complex surface through the heating cable 4 or a network 9 readily are heated in a simple manner, to kill pests.

[0020] The network holder, both the terminals 10 and 11 the supply lines, can be provided with means for fixing the organic material. This means for fixing can be adhesive, but it could also, if the organic material allows, small hooks, loops or be claws, the mechanically in the material are anchored. The means for fixing both for applying an individual heating cable 4 can also be used for applying a network 9.

[0021] To the method is simple and economically, because is ensured with simple means, that the heat radiated from the heating cable 4 into the organic material penetrates and kills pests there. In particular when using a thermal insulation 5 is then also the method economically, when the infected material or object is outside a building with pests and must be treated, e.g. at a truss, the from the outside must be restored.

[0022] According to a further embodiment is a piece of fresh incised, 12 x 12 cm and a length of 100 cm undried spruce wood having a cross section of a heating cable wrapped, the heats to a temperature of 100 °c. Temperature sensor, the distributed over the entire cross section, show, according to a temperature of 56 °c 230 minutes has been achieved over the entire cross section of the wood.