CA2247051A1 - Process and device for evaporating liquids, in particular formic acid - Google Patents
Process and device for evaporating liquids, in particular formic acid Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2247051A1 CA2247051A1 CA002247051A CA2247051A CA2247051A1 CA 2247051 A1 CA2247051 A1 CA 2247051A1 CA 002247051 A CA002247051 A CA 002247051A CA 2247051 A CA2247051 A CA 2247051A CA 2247051 A1 CA2247051 A1 CA 2247051A1
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- Prior art keywords
- evaporation
- container
- liquid
- chamber
- leg
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01M—CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS; APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
- A01M1/00—Stationary means for catching or killing insects
- A01M1/20—Poisoning, narcotising, or burning insects
- A01M1/2022—Poisoning or narcotising insects by vaporising an insecticide
- A01M1/2027—Poisoning or narcotising insects by vaporising an insecticide without heating
- A01M1/2044—Holders or dispensers for liquid insecticide, e.g. using wicks
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; CARE OF BIRDS, FISHES, INSECTS; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K51/00—Appliances for treating beehives or parts thereof, e.g. for cleaning or disinfecting
Abstract
The invention concerns a process and device for evaporating liquids, in particular formic acid for combating varroa mites in bee hives. The device reduces the various environmental influences on evaporation characteristics, extends the seasonal range and slows down the evaporation rate in the initial phase. It comprises a storage chamber (1) containing evaporation liquid (10) and a dispensing chamber (4). Both chambers (1, 4) are separated by a central partition (2) with a slit-shaped through-aperture (3) at the bottom. Within the dispensing chamber (4) a constant liquid level (8) is formed and is independent of the liquid level (7) in the storage chamber (1). Two evaporating elements (13, 11) are provided in the dispensing chamber (4), the second (11) of these elements having a rectangular recess (20). The longer limb of the second evaporating element (11) which projects over a transverse wall (6) is separated from a third evaporating element (16) by spacer elements (17) and a constant liquid flow is thereby created within the evaporating element (11).
Description
CA 022470~1 1998-08-21 PROCESS AWD DEVICE FOR EVAPORATING LIQUIDS, IN PARTICULAR FORMIC ACID
The invention concerns a method and a device for evaporating liquids, in particular formic acid for combating varroa mites in beehives.
The term "evaporation" is used in the following description in the sense of a slow transition from a liquid to gaseous state at temperatures far below the boiling point of the liquid evaporated.
German Democratic Republic Patent No. DD 292 141 B5 has already disclosed a device for evaporating liquids, in particular formic acid, consisting of an essentially cube-shaped container subdivided by a vertical middle partition into two container parts. The first part of the container is designed as a storage chamber that is closed on all sides to accommodate the liquid for evaporation. The second part of the container is designed with stepped shoulders to accommodate a plate-shaped evaporation element which is positioned in a vertical position above a slot in a cover, and the bottom end face of which is in contact with the bottom surface. A slot-shaped passage is provided in the lower part of the vertical middle partition, establishing a connection between the two parts of the container in proximity to the common bottom surface.
Operation of this known device consists of the fact that the liquid for evaporation flows out of the storage chamber through the passage and into the second part of the container, where it rises only until the liquid seals the passage. The reason for this is that a vacuum develops as the liquid flows out of the storage chamber, preventing any further rise of liquid for evaporation in the second part of the container. Then when liquid for evaporation is CA 022470~1 1998-08-21 ,. .
removed through the evaporation element, the liquid level in the second part of the container drops slightly, and air in the form of small air bubbles is drawn into the storage chamber and the vacuum is compensated, so that more liquid can flow into the second part of the container. The liquid level then rises until the passage is sealed again, thereby interrupting the supply of air. This yields an approximately constant liquid level in the second part of the container, thereby guaranteeing a uniform delivery stream in the evaporation element independently of the different filling levels in the storage cham~er.
Evaporation of liquid is known to depend on many parameters. Important influencing factors include the size, shape and porosity of the surface of the evaporation element, the atmospheric pressure, atmospheric humidity and air circulation as well as the temperature.
The disadvantage of the known device is that the evaporation rate (i.e., the amount evaporated per unit of time) varies greatly due to the dependence on some of the ambient conditions mentioned above, namely atmospheric pressure, atmospheric humidity, air circulation and temperature. In addition, the treatment combating varroa mites must be performed several times a year in different seasons. In Germany, this is not done until the summer, approximately in August after the last honey harvest and in the autu-m--n~ approximately in Septe_ber/October. It follows from this that different external ambient conditions will prevail at the time of treatment. However, an important factor in effective control is achieving an adequate concentration of formic acid in the vaporized air in the beehive. In Germany, there are standards in this regard for the m~ximllm and m; n;mllm evaporation rates based on the ambient temperature, which is approximately 10 mL per day at temperatures of about 15~C to 20~C in the fall, whereas CA 022470~1 1998-08-21 ,.
in the summer when temperatures are approximately 25~C to 30~C, it is about 25 mL per day. Ambient conditions inside a beehive are also by no means constant.
Bees always try to maintain a constant temperature, for example, +35~C in the breeding nest. At higher outside temperatures or in direct sunlight, air in the beehive is cooled by the fact that a certain number of bees produce a directed stream of air by the movement of their wings, so-called "fanning" which is directed outside through an opening while more fresh air flows into the beehive. Thus, there is a high rate of air turnover, which reduces the concentration of formic acid in the beehive.
To compensate for the disadvantages of the known device, various large evaporation elements have been used in the past for different ambient conditions, and checks during treatment are recommen~ed for optimizing the amount evaporated. These measures are not only cost-intensive but are also very expensive.
Another disadvantage of the known device is also that the amount of liquid evaporated rises very rapidly in the initial phase of the treatment. As a result, there is an increase in stress for the bees and their aggressiveness, which can endanger the life of the queen.
The object of the present invention is to create a method and an improved device according to the definition of the species of Patent Claims 1, 2 and 3, with which the effects of the different ambient conditions on the evaporation characteristics are reduced, the seasonal scope is increased without using different sizes of evaporation elements, and a very slow increase in evaporation in the initial phase is achieved.
This ob~ect is achieved through the features given in the characterizing parts of Claims 1, 2 and 3. Expedient CA 022470~1 1998-08-21 embodiments of the device are disclosed in Claims 4 through 22.
The advantages achieved with this invention are explained as follows:
With the known evaporators where only one evaporation element is immersed in the liquid to be evaporated in a container, it has been found experimentally that the delivery rate (i.e., the amount of liquid per unit of time) is much different when the container is completely full than when the container is almost empty. Due to this dependence on the liquid level in the container, there is another influencing factor on the evaporation characteristics in addition to the ambient conditions. This influencing factor is eliminated by the design of the storage chamber in combination with the slot-shaped passage so that a constant level of liquid to be evaporated is produced in the dispensing chamber, wherein the evaporation element is always immersed to the same depth. Due to the use of two evaporation elements which are supplied with liquid for evaporation from the dispensing chamber, the main capillary flow is divided into two partial capillary flows. The first partial capillary flow rises vertically upward over the first evaporation element and evaporates according to the given ambient conditions. For example, at higher temperatures or with more air circulation, more liquid will evaporate than at a lower temperature or with lower air circulation. Since the first evaporation element is in direct contact with the liquid level in the dispensing chamber, it always draws up more liquid for evaporation in accordance with the amount of liquid already evaporated. The amount of liquid per unit of time of the first partial capillary flow thus changes as a function of ambient conditions. Due to the U-shaped design of the CA 022470~1 1998-08-21 second evaporation element, the second partial capillary flow is diverted due to the effect of capillary force and gravity into a lower evaporation chamber where the liquid drips down from the longer leg onto a third evaporation element or is dispensed to this element. This forms a wet spot of liquid for evaporation. However, the third evaporation element is arranged at a distance from the second evaporation such that the possibility of mutual contact between the two elements is ruled out, so that no more liquid can be resupplied by suction with the evaporation of the liquid spot, in contrast with the first evaporation. The second partial capillary flow is thus constant and is independent of ambient conditions, in particular when the second evaporation element is provided with an additional coating or cover. The size of the liquid spot on the third evaporation element is then determined exclusively by the stream of liquid dripping off the element. If the evaporation of the liquid spot begins according to the given ambient conditions, its effective evaporation area is reduced until more liquid drips down again. With an appropriate design of the second evaporation element, it is possible for the liquid spot to evaporate completely before more liquid drips down again.
Since the liquid spot can develop on the third evaporation element only with a delay and optionally at certain intervals, only a gradual increase in evaporation is achieved on the whole in the initial phase.
The effects of the first evaporation element and the effects of the second and third evaporation elements are mutually complementary, so that the effects of the ambient conditions are reduced, and the seasonal scope is increased without using evaporation elements of different sizes.
This invention will be explained in greater detail below on the basis of several embodiments. The respective figures CA 022470~1 1998-08-21 6 ' show the following:
~igure 1 - the front view of the evaporation device according to a first embodiment in a sectional diagram;
~igure 2 - section A-A according to Figure l;
~igure 3 - the front view of the evaporation device according to a second embodiment in a sectional diagram;
~igure 4 - section B-B according to Figure 3;
~igure 5 - the front view of the evaporation device according to a third embodiment in a sectional diagram;
~igure 6 - a top view of the evaporation device according to Figure 5;
~igure 7 - the front view according to Figure 5 in a tilted position;
~igure 8 - the front view of the evaporation device according to a fourth embodiment in a sectional diagram;
~igure 9 - a front view of the evaporation device according to Figure 8;
~igure 10 - the front view o~ the evaporation device according to a fifth embodiment in a partial sectional diagram;
CA 022470~1 1998-08-21 Figure 11 - section C-C according to Figure 10;
~igure 12 - the front view of the evaporation device according to a sixth embodiment in a sectional diagram;
~igure 13 - section D-D according to Figure 12.
Figures 1 through 4 and 12 through 13 show a first basic variant, and Figures 5 through 11 show a second basic variant of the device according to the present invention for evaporating liquid. As shown in Figures 1 through 13, the device consists of an essentially cube-shaped container, subdivided by a vertical middle partition 2 into two container parts having a common bottom surface. The first container part is designed so that it is closed on all sides and serves as a storage chamber 1 for the liquid 10 for evaporation. The second container part is set off with steps from the first container part, and it serves as a dispensing chamber 4 for the liquid 10 for evaporation.
Storage chamber 1 and dispensing chamber 4 are connected by a slot-shaped passage 3, so that a constant liquid level 8 is produced in dispensing chamber 4 and is independent of liquid level 7 in the storage chamber 1. Details regarding this liquid level 8 have already been explained in the introductory discussion regarding German Democratic Republic Patent No. 292,141 B5.
In the first basic variant presented in Figures 1 through 4 and 12 through 13, a third container part which serves as the evaporation chamber is connected in the longitudinal direction to the second container part. This evaporation chamber 5 is separated spatially from dispensing chamber 4 by a continuous transverse partition 6. The bottom surface of the evaporation chamber 5 is much deeper than the bottom surface of the storage chamber 1 and of dispensing chamber CA 022470~1 1998-08-21 4. A longitudinal wall 14 which is arranged in evaporation chamber 5 extends from middle partition 2 to the right side wall of evaporation chamber 5. According to one embodiment, the left part of this longitll~in~l wall 14 is continuous all the way to the bottom surface of the dispensing chamber 4, with the length of passage 3 being limited by the longitudinal wall 14. According to another embodiment, the left part of longitudinal wall 14, however, has a slot-shaped opening at the bottom, and passage 3 extends over the entire width of the container. A first evaporation element 14 is in front of longitll~l n~l wall 14, and a second evaporation element 11 is arranged perpendicular to and flush with it. This second evaporation element 11 is provided with a rectangular cutout 20, thus resulting in a U shape with legs of different lengths. The left leg supported on the bottom surface of the dispensing chamber g is much shorter than the right leg. This right leg need not lie on the bottom surface of the evaporation chamber 5; it may also be shorter, especially when dripping of liquid 10 for evaporation is to be achieved. In another embodiment of the invention, a third evaporation element 12 which is arranged perpendicularly behind the longitudinal wall 14 has essentially the same U shape as the second evaporation element 11 and its longer leg rests on the bottom surface of the evaporation chamber 5. In adaptation to the embodiment whereby the left part of the longitudinal wall 14 has a slot-shaped opening at the bottom, the shorter leg of the third evaporation element 12 must be of a size such that it is not immersed in liquid level 8 of dispensing chamber 4 when the container is tilted, e.g., in transport.
According to an expedient embodiment of this first basic variant, the longer leg of the third evaporation element 12 is designed as a right angle. The bent leg part is in contact with the bottom surface of the evaporation chamber 5 and is continued to beneath the longer leg of the second CA 022470~1 1998-08-21 .
9.
evaporation element 11. The longer leg of the second evaporation element must be shortened so that the two evaporation elements do not come in contact with one another.
In the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the dispensing chamber 4 and the evaporation chamber 5 are covered at the top by a protective hood 15. This protective hood is detachable connected to the container housing, which is expediently accomplished with catch and clamp[
elements. Protective hood 15 has several openings, the number of which is such that a m~ximllm amount of vaporized liquid can pass through. The ~;m~n~ions of these openings are designed so as to prevent the bees from coming in direct contact with evaporation elements 11, 12, 13.
In the second embodiment (Figures 3 and 4), the protective hood 15 is open at the top but does not otherwise have any additional orifices. To permit contact protection and also to achieve better positioning of evaporation elements 11, 12 13, there are vertical ribs 15a arranged at a distance of approximately 3.5 mm. These ribs 15a are arranged in the interspace between the front and rear longitudinal walls of the dispensing chamber 4 and the evaporation chamber 5 as well as the front and rear walls of protective hood 15 and the evaporation elements 13, 11 and 12. These ribs 15a may either be provided only in the area of protective hood 15 or they may run vertically and continuously from the bottom surface of dispensing chamber 4 and evaporation chamber 5 up to the top edge of protective hood 15. Ribs 15a may expediently be designed as a one-piece spacer element 14b which is inserted into the abovementioned interspace.
However, it is also possible for the ribs to be designed as part of the front and rear walls of the dispensing chamber 4 and evaporation chamber 5 and the protective hood 15, or they may be provided only on the protective hood 15.
CA 022470~1 1998-08-21 10' The sixth embodiment according to Figures 12 and 13 differs from the first embodiment (Figures 1 and 2) in that the second evaporation element 11 consists of two individual L-shaped elements whose short legs overlap in a certain area and are horizontally displaceable. Due to the fact that one leg runs at a right angle and the other leg is at an ~rclinat~or, the crosC section of the second evaporat~on element 11 is adjustable. The external ~;m~ncions of the device are thus adapted to the requirements of conventional beehives by being mounted in a honeycomb frame 25, so they can be positioned in the beehive instead of a honeycomb. In any case, the width of the device is no greater than the width of an empty honeycomb frame 25. On the one hand, the breeding nest temperature, which is kept constant by the bees, contributes toward evaporation, but on the other hand, direct contact with the breeding nest can cause brood damage, so the device is arranged primarily in the first brood-free honeycomb gases.
The second basic variant illustrated in Figures 5 through 11 differs from the first basic variant in that no spatially limited evaporation chamber 5 is provided, the bottom part of the transverse partition 6 is connected to a horizontal spacer plate 17, and the third evaporation element 16 is arranged horizontally below spacer plate 17 and the container. The spacer plate 17 is likewise also much lower than the common bottom surface of the storage chamber 1 and dispensing chamber 4. Spacer plate 17 is provided with mesh-like openings for the liquid to pass through, at least in the area of the longer leg. The area of the third evaporation element 16 is larger than the base area of the device. In addition, a cover is provided under the third evaporation element 16, and this is in turn greater than the area of the third evaporation element 16.
In the third embodiment according to Figures 5, 6 and 7, this cover is made of an acid-resistant plastic film 18 CA 022470~1 1998-08-21 11' with gauze 19 arranged beneath it.
In the fourth e-m-bodiment according to Figures 8 and 9, however, the cover consists of an acid-resistant dividing plate 23 provided with feet 24.
The cover of the fifth e_bodiment according to Figures 10 and 11 consists only of the dividing film 18.
Figure 7 shows that a height adjusting device 21 may be provided on the left side wall of the storage chamber 1, m~king it possible to tilt the device, so that liquid level 8 in dispensing chamber 4 can be reduced for the evaporation element 13.
The embodiments shown in Figures 5 through 9 are preferably used when in an advanced season the regulatory effect of the shrunken breeding nest has become m;n;m~l, and there should not be any intervention into the honeycomb arrangement, and yet on the other hand it would be desirable to postpone the last treatment of the current year because of possible reinfection from the environment.
The device would then be set up in a space that is free of bees, preferably above the beehive.
However, the fifth embodiment is intended for use in so-called back-treatment hives between the window and the last honeycomb. Therefore, the device is mounted on the lower leg (26) of an empty honeycomb frame 25, with the third evaporation element 16 and the plastic film 18 ending approximately flush with leg 26 of the empty honeycomb frame 25 on a longitudinal side and being angled on the opposite longitudinal side and then leading vertically upward. As in the first embodiment, the plastic film 18 likewise has openings.
It has proven to be very advantageous for all embodiments CA 022470~1 1998-08-21 .
if the surface of the second evaporation element 11 is provided with an acid-resistant coating or cover, which may be a plastic or an enamel which is impermeable for the liquid 10 to be evaporated, except on the end faces of the leg. This design prevents evaporation of the capillary flow on its path to the longer leg of the second evaporation element 11, which then performs only a simple transport function for the liquid 10 to be evaporated.
The invention concerns a method and a device for evaporating liquids, in particular formic acid for combating varroa mites in beehives.
The term "evaporation" is used in the following description in the sense of a slow transition from a liquid to gaseous state at temperatures far below the boiling point of the liquid evaporated.
German Democratic Republic Patent No. DD 292 141 B5 has already disclosed a device for evaporating liquids, in particular formic acid, consisting of an essentially cube-shaped container subdivided by a vertical middle partition into two container parts. The first part of the container is designed as a storage chamber that is closed on all sides to accommodate the liquid for evaporation. The second part of the container is designed with stepped shoulders to accommodate a plate-shaped evaporation element which is positioned in a vertical position above a slot in a cover, and the bottom end face of which is in contact with the bottom surface. A slot-shaped passage is provided in the lower part of the vertical middle partition, establishing a connection between the two parts of the container in proximity to the common bottom surface.
Operation of this known device consists of the fact that the liquid for evaporation flows out of the storage chamber through the passage and into the second part of the container, where it rises only until the liquid seals the passage. The reason for this is that a vacuum develops as the liquid flows out of the storage chamber, preventing any further rise of liquid for evaporation in the second part of the container. Then when liquid for evaporation is CA 022470~1 1998-08-21 ,. .
removed through the evaporation element, the liquid level in the second part of the container drops slightly, and air in the form of small air bubbles is drawn into the storage chamber and the vacuum is compensated, so that more liquid can flow into the second part of the container. The liquid level then rises until the passage is sealed again, thereby interrupting the supply of air. This yields an approximately constant liquid level in the second part of the container, thereby guaranteeing a uniform delivery stream in the evaporation element independently of the different filling levels in the storage cham~er.
Evaporation of liquid is known to depend on many parameters. Important influencing factors include the size, shape and porosity of the surface of the evaporation element, the atmospheric pressure, atmospheric humidity and air circulation as well as the temperature.
The disadvantage of the known device is that the evaporation rate (i.e., the amount evaporated per unit of time) varies greatly due to the dependence on some of the ambient conditions mentioned above, namely atmospheric pressure, atmospheric humidity, air circulation and temperature. In addition, the treatment combating varroa mites must be performed several times a year in different seasons. In Germany, this is not done until the summer, approximately in August after the last honey harvest and in the autu-m--n~ approximately in Septe_ber/October. It follows from this that different external ambient conditions will prevail at the time of treatment. However, an important factor in effective control is achieving an adequate concentration of formic acid in the vaporized air in the beehive. In Germany, there are standards in this regard for the m~ximllm and m; n;mllm evaporation rates based on the ambient temperature, which is approximately 10 mL per day at temperatures of about 15~C to 20~C in the fall, whereas CA 022470~1 1998-08-21 ,.
in the summer when temperatures are approximately 25~C to 30~C, it is about 25 mL per day. Ambient conditions inside a beehive are also by no means constant.
Bees always try to maintain a constant temperature, for example, +35~C in the breeding nest. At higher outside temperatures or in direct sunlight, air in the beehive is cooled by the fact that a certain number of bees produce a directed stream of air by the movement of their wings, so-called "fanning" which is directed outside through an opening while more fresh air flows into the beehive. Thus, there is a high rate of air turnover, which reduces the concentration of formic acid in the beehive.
To compensate for the disadvantages of the known device, various large evaporation elements have been used in the past for different ambient conditions, and checks during treatment are recommen~ed for optimizing the amount evaporated. These measures are not only cost-intensive but are also very expensive.
Another disadvantage of the known device is also that the amount of liquid evaporated rises very rapidly in the initial phase of the treatment. As a result, there is an increase in stress for the bees and their aggressiveness, which can endanger the life of the queen.
The object of the present invention is to create a method and an improved device according to the definition of the species of Patent Claims 1, 2 and 3, with which the effects of the different ambient conditions on the evaporation characteristics are reduced, the seasonal scope is increased without using different sizes of evaporation elements, and a very slow increase in evaporation in the initial phase is achieved.
This ob~ect is achieved through the features given in the characterizing parts of Claims 1, 2 and 3. Expedient CA 022470~1 1998-08-21 embodiments of the device are disclosed in Claims 4 through 22.
The advantages achieved with this invention are explained as follows:
With the known evaporators where only one evaporation element is immersed in the liquid to be evaporated in a container, it has been found experimentally that the delivery rate (i.e., the amount of liquid per unit of time) is much different when the container is completely full than when the container is almost empty. Due to this dependence on the liquid level in the container, there is another influencing factor on the evaporation characteristics in addition to the ambient conditions. This influencing factor is eliminated by the design of the storage chamber in combination with the slot-shaped passage so that a constant level of liquid to be evaporated is produced in the dispensing chamber, wherein the evaporation element is always immersed to the same depth. Due to the use of two evaporation elements which are supplied with liquid for evaporation from the dispensing chamber, the main capillary flow is divided into two partial capillary flows. The first partial capillary flow rises vertically upward over the first evaporation element and evaporates according to the given ambient conditions. For example, at higher temperatures or with more air circulation, more liquid will evaporate than at a lower temperature or with lower air circulation. Since the first evaporation element is in direct contact with the liquid level in the dispensing chamber, it always draws up more liquid for evaporation in accordance with the amount of liquid already evaporated. The amount of liquid per unit of time of the first partial capillary flow thus changes as a function of ambient conditions. Due to the U-shaped design of the CA 022470~1 1998-08-21 second evaporation element, the second partial capillary flow is diverted due to the effect of capillary force and gravity into a lower evaporation chamber where the liquid drips down from the longer leg onto a third evaporation element or is dispensed to this element. This forms a wet spot of liquid for evaporation. However, the third evaporation element is arranged at a distance from the second evaporation such that the possibility of mutual contact between the two elements is ruled out, so that no more liquid can be resupplied by suction with the evaporation of the liquid spot, in contrast with the first evaporation. The second partial capillary flow is thus constant and is independent of ambient conditions, in particular when the second evaporation element is provided with an additional coating or cover. The size of the liquid spot on the third evaporation element is then determined exclusively by the stream of liquid dripping off the element. If the evaporation of the liquid spot begins according to the given ambient conditions, its effective evaporation area is reduced until more liquid drips down again. With an appropriate design of the second evaporation element, it is possible for the liquid spot to evaporate completely before more liquid drips down again.
Since the liquid spot can develop on the third evaporation element only with a delay and optionally at certain intervals, only a gradual increase in evaporation is achieved on the whole in the initial phase.
The effects of the first evaporation element and the effects of the second and third evaporation elements are mutually complementary, so that the effects of the ambient conditions are reduced, and the seasonal scope is increased without using evaporation elements of different sizes.
This invention will be explained in greater detail below on the basis of several embodiments. The respective figures CA 022470~1 1998-08-21 6 ' show the following:
~igure 1 - the front view of the evaporation device according to a first embodiment in a sectional diagram;
~igure 2 - section A-A according to Figure l;
~igure 3 - the front view of the evaporation device according to a second embodiment in a sectional diagram;
~igure 4 - section B-B according to Figure 3;
~igure 5 - the front view of the evaporation device according to a third embodiment in a sectional diagram;
~igure 6 - a top view of the evaporation device according to Figure 5;
~igure 7 - the front view according to Figure 5 in a tilted position;
~igure 8 - the front view of the evaporation device according to a fourth embodiment in a sectional diagram;
~igure 9 - a front view of the evaporation device according to Figure 8;
~igure 10 - the front view o~ the evaporation device according to a fifth embodiment in a partial sectional diagram;
CA 022470~1 1998-08-21 Figure 11 - section C-C according to Figure 10;
~igure 12 - the front view of the evaporation device according to a sixth embodiment in a sectional diagram;
~igure 13 - section D-D according to Figure 12.
Figures 1 through 4 and 12 through 13 show a first basic variant, and Figures 5 through 11 show a second basic variant of the device according to the present invention for evaporating liquid. As shown in Figures 1 through 13, the device consists of an essentially cube-shaped container, subdivided by a vertical middle partition 2 into two container parts having a common bottom surface. The first container part is designed so that it is closed on all sides and serves as a storage chamber 1 for the liquid 10 for evaporation. The second container part is set off with steps from the first container part, and it serves as a dispensing chamber 4 for the liquid 10 for evaporation.
Storage chamber 1 and dispensing chamber 4 are connected by a slot-shaped passage 3, so that a constant liquid level 8 is produced in dispensing chamber 4 and is independent of liquid level 7 in the storage chamber 1. Details regarding this liquid level 8 have already been explained in the introductory discussion regarding German Democratic Republic Patent No. 292,141 B5.
In the first basic variant presented in Figures 1 through 4 and 12 through 13, a third container part which serves as the evaporation chamber is connected in the longitudinal direction to the second container part. This evaporation chamber 5 is separated spatially from dispensing chamber 4 by a continuous transverse partition 6. The bottom surface of the evaporation chamber 5 is much deeper than the bottom surface of the storage chamber 1 and of dispensing chamber CA 022470~1 1998-08-21 4. A longitudinal wall 14 which is arranged in evaporation chamber 5 extends from middle partition 2 to the right side wall of evaporation chamber 5. According to one embodiment, the left part of this longitll~in~l wall 14 is continuous all the way to the bottom surface of the dispensing chamber 4, with the length of passage 3 being limited by the longitudinal wall 14. According to another embodiment, the left part of longitudinal wall 14, however, has a slot-shaped opening at the bottom, and passage 3 extends over the entire width of the container. A first evaporation element 14 is in front of longitll~l n~l wall 14, and a second evaporation element 11 is arranged perpendicular to and flush with it. This second evaporation element 11 is provided with a rectangular cutout 20, thus resulting in a U shape with legs of different lengths. The left leg supported on the bottom surface of the dispensing chamber g is much shorter than the right leg. This right leg need not lie on the bottom surface of the evaporation chamber 5; it may also be shorter, especially when dripping of liquid 10 for evaporation is to be achieved. In another embodiment of the invention, a third evaporation element 12 which is arranged perpendicularly behind the longitudinal wall 14 has essentially the same U shape as the second evaporation element 11 and its longer leg rests on the bottom surface of the evaporation chamber 5. In adaptation to the embodiment whereby the left part of the longitudinal wall 14 has a slot-shaped opening at the bottom, the shorter leg of the third evaporation element 12 must be of a size such that it is not immersed in liquid level 8 of dispensing chamber 4 when the container is tilted, e.g., in transport.
According to an expedient embodiment of this first basic variant, the longer leg of the third evaporation element 12 is designed as a right angle. The bent leg part is in contact with the bottom surface of the evaporation chamber 5 and is continued to beneath the longer leg of the second CA 022470~1 1998-08-21 .
9.
evaporation element 11. The longer leg of the second evaporation element must be shortened so that the two evaporation elements do not come in contact with one another.
In the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the dispensing chamber 4 and the evaporation chamber 5 are covered at the top by a protective hood 15. This protective hood is detachable connected to the container housing, which is expediently accomplished with catch and clamp[
elements. Protective hood 15 has several openings, the number of which is such that a m~ximllm amount of vaporized liquid can pass through. The ~;m~n~ions of these openings are designed so as to prevent the bees from coming in direct contact with evaporation elements 11, 12, 13.
In the second embodiment (Figures 3 and 4), the protective hood 15 is open at the top but does not otherwise have any additional orifices. To permit contact protection and also to achieve better positioning of evaporation elements 11, 12 13, there are vertical ribs 15a arranged at a distance of approximately 3.5 mm. These ribs 15a are arranged in the interspace between the front and rear longitudinal walls of the dispensing chamber 4 and the evaporation chamber 5 as well as the front and rear walls of protective hood 15 and the evaporation elements 13, 11 and 12. These ribs 15a may either be provided only in the area of protective hood 15 or they may run vertically and continuously from the bottom surface of dispensing chamber 4 and evaporation chamber 5 up to the top edge of protective hood 15. Ribs 15a may expediently be designed as a one-piece spacer element 14b which is inserted into the abovementioned interspace.
However, it is also possible for the ribs to be designed as part of the front and rear walls of the dispensing chamber 4 and evaporation chamber 5 and the protective hood 15, or they may be provided only on the protective hood 15.
CA 022470~1 1998-08-21 10' The sixth embodiment according to Figures 12 and 13 differs from the first embodiment (Figures 1 and 2) in that the second evaporation element 11 consists of two individual L-shaped elements whose short legs overlap in a certain area and are horizontally displaceable. Due to the fact that one leg runs at a right angle and the other leg is at an ~rclinat~or, the crosC section of the second evaporat~on element 11 is adjustable. The external ~;m~ncions of the device are thus adapted to the requirements of conventional beehives by being mounted in a honeycomb frame 25, so they can be positioned in the beehive instead of a honeycomb. In any case, the width of the device is no greater than the width of an empty honeycomb frame 25. On the one hand, the breeding nest temperature, which is kept constant by the bees, contributes toward evaporation, but on the other hand, direct contact with the breeding nest can cause brood damage, so the device is arranged primarily in the first brood-free honeycomb gases.
The second basic variant illustrated in Figures 5 through 11 differs from the first basic variant in that no spatially limited evaporation chamber 5 is provided, the bottom part of the transverse partition 6 is connected to a horizontal spacer plate 17, and the third evaporation element 16 is arranged horizontally below spacer plate 17 and the container. The spacer plate 17 is likewise also much lower than the common bottom surface of the storage chamber 1 and dispensing chamber 4. Spacer plate 17 is provided with mesh-like openings for the liquid to pass through, at least in the area of the longer leg. The area of the third evaporation element 16 is larger than the base area of the device. In addition, a cover is provided under the third evaporation element 16, and this is in turn greater than the area of the third evaporation element 16.
In the third embodiment according to Figures 5, 6 and 7, this cover is made of an acid-resistant plastic film 18 CA 022470~1 1998-08-21 11' with gauze 19 arranged beneath it.
In the fourth e-m-bodiment according to Figures 8 and 9, however, the cover consists of an acid-resistant dividing plate 23 provided with feet 24.
The cover of the fifth e_bodiment according to Figures 10 and 11 consists only of the dividing film 18.
Figure 7 shows that a height adjusting device 21 may be provided on the left side wall of the storage chamber 1, m~king it possible to tilt the device, so that liquid level 8 in dispensing chamber 4 can be reduced for the evaporation element 13.
The embodiments shown in Figures 5 through 9 are preferably used when in an advanced season the regulatory effect of the shrunken breeding nest has become m;n;m~l, and there should not be any intervention into the honeycomb arrangement, and yet on the other hand it would be desirable to postpone the last treatment of the current year because of possible reinfection from the environment.
The device would then be set up in a space that is free of bees, preferably above the beehive.
However, the fifth embodiment is intended for use in so-called back-treatment hives between the window and the last honeycomb. Therefore, the device is mounted on the lower leg (26) of an empty honeycomb frame 25, with the third evaporation element 16 and the plastic film 18 ending approximately flush with leg 26 of the empty honeycomb frame 25 on a longitudinal side and being angled on the opposite longitudinal side and then leading vertically upward. As in the first embodiment, the plastic film 18 likewise has openings.
It has proven to be very advantageous for all embodiments CA 022470~1 1998-08-21 .
if the surface of the second evaporation element 11 is provided with an acid-resistant coating or cover, which may be a plastic or an enamel which is impermeable for the liquid 10 to be evaporated, except on the end faces of the leg. This design prevents evaporation of the capillary flow on its path to the longer leg of the second evaporation element 11, which then performs only a simple transport function for the liquid 10 to be evaporated.
Claims (22)
1. A process for evaporating liquids, especially formic acid for combating varroa mites in beehives, wherein - a constant level of liquid to be evaporated is produced in a container;
- the main capillary flow of evaporation liquid, which develops in the evaporation element submerged in the liquid for evaporation is divided into two partial capillary flows;
- the first partial capillary flow is directed vertically upward by the liquid evaporated;
- the second partial capillary flow is first directed vertically upward, then horizontally and next vertically downward into an area lower than the level of the liquid for evaporation, and a suction effect is produced there;
- the amount of liquid per unit of time of the first partial capillary flow is kept variable as a function of ambient conditions such as atmospheric pressure, atmospheric humidity, air circulation and temperature, and - the amount of liquid of the second partial capillary flow per unit of time is kept constant.
- the main capillary flow of evaporation liquid, which develops in the evaporation element submerged in the liquid for evaporation is divided into two partial capillary flows;
- the first partial capillary flow is directed vertically upward by the liquid evaporated;
- the second partial capillary flow is first directed vertically upward, then horizontally and next vertically downward into an area lower than the level of the liquid for evaporation, and a suction effect is produced there;
- the amount of liquid per unit of time of the first partial capillary flow is kept variable as a function of ambient conditions such as atmospheric pressure, atmospheric humidity, air circulation and temperature, and - the amount of liquid of the second partial capillary flow per unit of time is kept constant.
2. A device for evaporating liquids, especially formic acid for combating varroa mites in beehives, comprising an essentially cubical container subdivided by a vertical middle partition (2) into two container parts lying in one horizontal plane, where the first part of the container is designed as a storage chamber (1) that is closed on all sides to accommodate the liquid (10) for evaporation, the second part of the container is designed in steps and is provided with an evaporation element (13), whose lower end face rests on the bottom surface, and the two parts of the container are connected by a slot-shaped passage (3) in the lower part of the vertical middle partition (2), wherein a third container part is connected to the second container part in the longitudinal direction as the evaporation chamber (5) which is spatially separated from the second container part by a continuous transverse partition (6), with the bottom surface of the evaporation chamber (5) being much lower than the common bottom surface of the storage chamber (1) and the second part of the container, and with a longitudinal wall (14) extending from the vertical middle partition (2) to the right side wall of the evaporation chamber (5), the left part of which, forming a dispensing chamber (4) for the liquid (10) for evaporation, continues to the bottom surface of the second part of the container, and the length of the slot-shaped passage (3) in the middle partition (2) is designed according to the width of the dispensing chamber (4), and the right part of the longitudinal wall (14) is provided with a slot-shaped opening in the lower area, the width of said slot-shaped opening being greater than the liquid level (9) in the evaporation chamber (5), and the first evaporation element (13) is arranged in front of the longitudinal wall and a second evaporation element (11) is arranged perpendicular and flush next to the former, with a U shape having legs of irregular length, with the left leg, which is supported on the bottom surface of he dispensing chamber (4) being much shorter than the right leg which is supported on the bottom surface of the evaporation chamber (5), and behind and perpendicular to the longitudinal wall (14) is arranged a third evaporation element (12), which has essentially the same shape as the second evaporation element (11) and its longer leg is also in contact with the bottom surface of the evaporation chamber (5), and all the evaporation elements (11, 12, 13) are positioned over the rib sections formed on the bottom surfaces.
3. A device for evaporating liquids, especially formic acid, for combating varroa mites in beehives, comprising an essentially cube-shaped container subdivided by a vertical middle partition (2) into two container parts in one horizontal plane, with the first part of the container being designed as a storage chamber (1) that is closed on all sides to accommodate the liquid (10) for evaporation, the second part of the container being designed steps and provided with an evaporation element (13) whose lower end face rests on the bottom surface, and the two container parts are connected through a slot-shaped passage (3) in the lower part of the vertical middle partition (2), wherein the second container part is limited in the longitudinal direction by a continuous transverse partition (6), which forms a dispensing chamber (4) for the liquid (10) for evaporation, and in which a second evaporation element (11) is arranged flush next to the first evaporation element (13) and has a U shape with legs of irregular length, with the left leg which is supported on the bottom surface of the dispensing chamber (4) being much shorter than the right leg, and the bottom part of the transverse partition (6) being connected to a horizontal spacer plate (17) which is much lower than the common bottom surface of the storage chamber (1) and the dispensing chamber (4), with the longer leg of the evaporation element (11) resting on the spacer plate (17), which is provided with sieve-like openings for the liquid to pass through at least in the area of contact of the longer leg, and with a third evaporation element (16) being arranged horizontally beneath the spacer plate (17) and the container, the area of said evaporation element being larger than the base area of the container, with a cover being provided beneath the third evaporation element (16), said cover being larger in turn than the area of the third evaporation element (16).
4. A device according to Claim 2, wherein the left part of the longitudinal wall (14) has a slot-shaped opening at the bottom, the length of the passage (3) in the middle partition (2) corresponds to the width of the container, and the shorter leg of the third evaporation element (12) is designed to that it does not dip into the liquid level (8) of the dispensing chamber (4) when the container is tilted, especially in transport.
5. A device according to Claim 2, wherein the longer leg of the third evaporation element (12) is designed with a right-angled bend, with the bent part of the leg being arranged directly beneath the longer leg of the second evaporation element, and with the longer leg of the second evaporation element (11) being shortened so that the two evaporation elements (12) do not come in contact with one another, and the liquid (10) for evaporation can drip down from the longer leg of the second evaporation element (11).
6. A device according to Claim 2, wherein the dispensing chamber (4) and the evaporation chamber (5) are covered by a protective hood (15), which is detachably connected to the container housing, preferably by catch and clamp elements, and it has openings in a number such that a maximum amount of vaporized liquid can pass through, and its dimensions are such that direct contact of the bees with the evaporation elements (11, 12, 13) is prevented.
7. A device according to Claim 2, wherein vertical ribs are provided in the interspace between the front and rear longitudinal walls of the dispensing chamber (4) and evaporation chamber (5) when the dispensing and evaporation chambers (4, 5) are open at the top, and/or between the front and rear inner walls of the protective hood (15) and the evaporation elements (13, 11 and 12), said ribs extending to the top edge (14a) of the longitudinal walls of the dispensing chamber and evaporation chambers (4, 5) or to the top edge of the protective hood (15), said ribs (15a) being designed as a detachable one-piece spacer element (14b) or molded on the front and rear insides of the longitudinal walls and/or the protective hood (15).
8. A device according to Claim 3, wherein the cover is an acid-resistant plastic film (18), an acid-resistant dividing plate (23) or an acid-resistant plastic film (18) with gauze (19) arranged below it, with the area of the gauze (19) being larger than the area of the plastic film (18) or the dividing plate (23).
9. A device according to Claims 3 and 8 for use in back-treatment beehives, wherein the device is arranged on the lower leg (26) of an empty honeycomb frame (25), and the third evaporation element (16) under the spacer plate (17) and the container is sealed with a plastic film (18) on a longitudinal side approximately flush with the leg (26) of the empty honeycomb frame (25), said element being bent at an angle on the opposite longitudinal side and continued vertically upward, with the plastic film (18) having openings in a number such that a maximum amount of vaporized liquid can pass through and the dimensions are such that direct contact of the bees with the third evaporation element (16) is prevented.
10. A device according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the surface of the second evaporation element (11), except the end face of the leg, is provided with an acid-resistant coating or cover that is impermeable for the liquid (10) for evaporation.
11. A device according to Claim 2 or 3 or 10, wherein the coating is a plastic or an enamel.
12. A device according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the cross section through the second evaporation element (11) is preferably adjustable or variable in the horizontal middle part.
13. A device according to Claim 2 or 3 and 12, wherein the second evaporation element (11) consists of two individual L-shaped elements whose short legs are arranged so that they overlap in an area, and at least one individual element is horizontally displaceable, and the short leg of the one individual element runs at a right angle and that of the other individual element is at an inclination.
14. A device according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the first and second evaporation elements (13, 11) are designed in one piece.
15. A device according to Claim 2 or 3, 5 as well as 10 through 14, wherein the cross-sectional area of the evaporation elements (11, 12, 13) is regular, especially triangular, rectangular, polygonal, circular, annular, sector-shaped, arc-shaped, ellipsoidal, or it may be irregular.
16. A device according to Claim 2 or 3, 5 as well as 10 through 14, wherein the absorbent material of the evaporation elements (11, 12, 13, 16) is made of organic or inorganic materials or mixtures thereof.
17. A device according to Claim 2 or 3, 5 as well as 10 through 14 and 16, wherein the absorbent material of the evaporation elements (11, 12, 113, 16) is paper, cardboard, ceramic, foam and a woven or nonwoven textile material such as a felt, a nonwoven or spun yarn.
18. A device according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the container is made of acid-resistant and weldable plastics, preferably polypropylene.
19. A device according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the container is designed so that it can be tilted by providing a height adjusting device (21) on the left side wall of the storage chamber (1).
20. A device according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the width of the container is not greater than the width of a honeycomb frame.
21. A device according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the container is an injection molded part which has a scale for measuring the quantity of liquid (10) to be evaporated in the storage chamber (1), preferably on the cover of the storage chamber (10, and the cover is connected to the housing of the storage chamber (1) by welding with an airtight seal.
22. A device according to Claim 2 or 3, 5 as well as 10 through 14, wherein the evaporation elements (11, 12, 13) are arranged at any angle, even variably, to the vertical axis or the horizontal axis of the container.
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19610649.4 | 1996-03-06 | ||
| DE1996110649 DE19610649A1 (en) | 1996-03-06 | 1996-03-06 | Continuous vaporisation device for formic acid |
| DE19621149.2 | 1996-05-14 | ||
| DE19621149A DE19621149A1 (en) | 1996-03-06 | 1996-05-14 | Device for continuous evaporation of fluids especially formic acid in beehives |
| DE19645300A DE19645300A1 (en) | 1996-03-06 | 1996-10-25 | Evaporating formic acid to combat varroa mites infesting beehives |
| DE19645300.3 | 1996-10-25 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2247051A1 true CA2247051A1 (en) | 1997-09-12 |
Family
ID=27216041
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002247051A Abandoned CA2247051A1 (en) | 1996-03-06 | 1997-03-06 | Process and device for evaporating liquids, in particular formic acid |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0959674B1 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE196589T1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2247051A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1997032470A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2022039691A1 (en) * | 2020-08-20 | 2022-02-24 | Ondokuz Mayis Universitesi | Evaporating apparatus for formic acid used against varroa mites relating to honeybees |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA2323263C (en) | 2000-10-13 | 2009-12-01 | Vaclav Ruzicka | Formic acid dispenser for control of mites |
| EP2177107A1 (en) * | 2008-10-16 | 2010-04-21 | Thomas Engel | Vermin remedy |
| DE102011000223A1 (en) | 2011-01-19 | 2012-07-19 | Acuros GmbH, Berlin | Device for releasing a volatile active substance, method for producing such a device and its use |
| DE102017103338B3 (en) | 2017-02-17 | 2018-04-05 | Joachim Meinrad Weiland | Evaporator systems comprising a formic acid evaporator unit and a standard honeycomb blank adapted to the evaporator unit |
| DE202017100888U1 (en) | 2017-02-17 | 2017-03-02 | Joachim Weiland Werkzeugbau GmbH & Co. KG | Evaporator systems comprising a formic acid evaporator unit and a standard honeycomb blank adapted to the evaporator unit |
| EP3578041B8 (en) | 2018-06-10 | 2021-09-15 | Famlee Fund GmbH | Dispenser device and corresponding method and use for mite control in beehives |
| EP4072282A1 (en) | 2019-12-09 | 2022-10-19 | Famlee Fund GmbH | Dispenser for formic acid vapour and method for combatting mites in beehives |
-
1997
- 1997-03-06 EP EP97920509A patent/EP0959674B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-03-06 AT AT97920509T patent/ATE196589T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1997-03-06 WO PCT/DE1997/000512 patent/WO1997032470A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1997-03-06 CA CA002247051A patent/CA2247051A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2022039691A1 (en) * | 2020-08-20 | 2022-02-24 | Ondokuz Mayis Universitesi | Evaporating apparatus for formic acid used against varroa mites relating to honeybees |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ATE196589T1 (en) | 2000-10-15 |
| WO1997032470A1 (en) | 1997-09-12 |
| EP0959674A1 (en) | 1999-12-01 |
| EP0959674B1 (en) | 2000-09-27 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |