Thermal Remediation from TEMP-AIR recently introduced the MHT-1500 Mobile Heat Treatment Unit. The MHT-1500 is aimed at providing a mobile heat treatment solution to eradicate pests in on-farm storage structures like bins and silos as well as in food grain processing facilities. The Post Harvest Technology group headed by Dr. Dirk Maier of Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., is currently conducting field trials to evaluate the unit for its efficacy to kill stored products pests.
Funding to support the development of MHT-1500, research, and field trials have been provided by the Propane Education & Research Council.
The MHT-1500 is a propane-fueled mobile solution for pest eradication using heat treatment as a non-chemical, non-residual and environmentally friendly alternative. Existing aeration systems on farm bins/silos or bin entries can be adapted for heat treatment using the MHT-1500. Use of propane will facilitate the heat treatment for on-farm applications and in processing facilities where alternative fuel sources may not be readily available. The mobile heat treatment solution will also be useful in pest management of storage structures for organic crops and food grains requiring non-chemical treatment.
Under the leadership of Dr. Dirk Maier from the Agricultural & Biological Engineering Dept. of Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind., pilot bin trials using the MHT –1500 are in progress to determine the efficacy of heat treatment for various stored product pests. Full-scale field demonstrations are planned in 2007. Preliminary results from ongoing pilot trials at the Post Harvest Research Education Center, Purdue University confirm the performance of the MHT-1500 and its efficacy to control stored product pests.