MXPA04012935A - Cleaning device and method. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for the extermination of pests like e.g., worms and arthropods such as insects and wood-louses, mites, etc., wherein said device is provided with a nozzle arranged to distribute carbon dioxide in solid state to create an atmosphere comprising of carbon dioxide and wherein said nozzle is adapted to achieve a predetermined particle size and velocity of said carbon dioxide adapted for the geometry the pest is located into and wherein the particle size and the velocity are optimised for an effective extermination of the pest in question. The invention also relates to methods and compositions for use with said devices.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD CLEANER TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a device for the examination of pests such as for example in worms and arthropods; such as insects and cochineals, mites, etc., using carbon dioxide of a controlled particle size. The invention also relates to methods and a composition for use with said device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cooling disinfection is a well-documented method (Skytte, T. "Bekaempelse af Afdekandyr ved nedfrysnig" Naturhistorisk Museum, "Rhus 1993) The efficiency is increased if the temperature is allowed to drop very rapidly at very low temperatures. The decrease in temperature and the minimum temperature obtained are essential criteria that must be considered in order to obtain safe disinfection.Insects that live indoors are often housed in places with complicated geometries.Some of these areas are not possible. disinfect using conventional methods because of the related risks of poisoning or because they are out of scope for treatment Potential problems related to conventional chemicals include degradation products, waste products, allergic reactions and a probable enrichment of harmful substances in the chain food Some gases, for example carbon dioxide, do not cause any of these problems. The document of E.U.A. 4,200,656 discloses a method for fumigating grain stored in silos, by applying a mixture of liquid carbon dioxide and methyl bromide to the top layer of the grain. This method is dangerous to health since methyl bromide is used. The document 'of E.U.A. 5,394,643 describes a method for the extermination of tunnel boring insects which. They build nests such as ants or other insects that live in the earth by using carbon dioxide in order to drown them. The document of E.U.A. 4,413,756 describes equipment for the extermination of insects, where cold gas such as carbon dioxide is supplied and where the insects are destroyed due to low temperature. EP 0 823 214 discloses the use of carbon dioxide in a dry and solid aggregate state as a cooling agent for the extermination of small animals in textiles. The problem of using the known methods is that they do not describe an economically and environmentally innocuous approach that is observed from a production point of view, since they do not define the relationship between the manner in which cooling is performed and the manner in which it is to be supplied. carbon dioxide to obtain an optimal result.

THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a device for the extermination of pests such as, for example, worms and arthropods such as insects and cochineals, mites, etc., especially in equipment and space for food production. This object is solved by providing a device that is provided with a nozzle positioned to distribute carbon dioxide in the solid state to create an atmosphere comprising carbon dioxide and wherein the nozzle is adapted to receive a predetermined particle size and velocity of the dioxide. of carbon adapted for the geometry of the plague that is located in the interior and where the particle size and speed is optimized for an efficient extermination of the plague in question. According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided the device for the extermination of a pest such as for example insects and cochineals, mites, etc., which comprises the following steps: a) firstly subjecting the pest to a atmosphere which is wholly or partly made up of carbon dioxide for a predetermined period of time, and then b) cooling the pest to a temperature equal to or lower than the critical temperature Tcrit, where Tcrit is defined as the temperature at which it is at the limit of death by freezing or that responds with an increase in body temperature. Furthermore, according to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a composition for the extermination of pests comprising carbon dioxide in the solid state having a determined particle size, adapted for the kind of pest to be exterminated and for the geometry of the plague that is located in the interior. According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided the use of solid state carbon dioxide of a predetermined particle size for the manufacture of an array arranged to effectively kill certain kinds of pests in a certain kind of geometry. According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is provided for the extermination of pests such as, for example, worms and arthropods such as insects and mealybugs, mites, etc., which consists of the following steps: a) cooling first the pest at a temperature equal to or lower than the critical temperature Tcrit, where crit is defined as the temperature at which the pest is at the limit of death by freezing or where it responds with an increase in body temperature, and then b ) subjecting the pest to an atmosphere which is wholly or partly made up of carbon dioxide for a predetermined period of time which will kill the pest. Additional features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims and the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES In the following, the invention will be described more precisely with reference to the embodiments shown in the appended figures. Figure 1 shows schematically the temperature in the pest during the period of time that the animal has been cooled to the critical temperature Tcr¿t. Figure 2 shows a cooling test in a tube. Figure 3 shows a cooling test in a wedge. Figure 4 shows a cooling test on a flat surface. Figure 5 shows an additional cooling test in a tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Insects show different physiological mechanisms to persist and survive at low temperatures. One mechanism is to lower the freezing point by producing antifreeze agents such as sugars, alcohols and proteins. Another mechanism is to induce the formation of ice between the cells and in this way protect them. Some insects respond to low temperatures by generating heat that is induced by proteins. The yellow flour worm commonly present, Tenebrio molitor, has the ability to increase its temperature by almost 10 ° C when subjected to a decrease in temperature. The phenomenon which forms the basis for the present invention is the discovery that pests such as insects, when cooled to a temperature below critical critical temperature, generates an increase in temperature within the insect. In this way, Tcrit is defined as the temperature at which the pest is at the limit of death by freezing or responds with an increase in body temperature. Table A shows examples of crit for different species. A Tcrit / the insect is partially frozen and is on the edge of life and death. It has also been noted that insects frozen to death have an increase in temperature but the increase is not as significant. The increase in temperature requires energy and causes the animal to consume more oxygen than normal after experiencing this stage close to death. Recovery when the temperature increases and the animal no longer freezes leads to increased respiration. This scheme makes the animal more receptive to a gaseous treatment. Figure 1 shows a typical response of an insect at a lower ambient temperature (larvae of Tenebrio molitor). The insect can emit heat (L in the figure). If the temperature decreases very quickly, then the insect will emit less heat, resulting in faster extermination. Table A Examples of critical temperatures of a selection of pests (T. Skitte, 1993) The method according to the invention for the extermination of pests comprises first cooling the pests to a temperature equal to or lower than the critical temperature Tcrit AND then submitting to the pest to an atmosphere which is wholly or partly made up of carbon dioxide for a predetermined period of time which kills the pest. The cooling to the critical temperature is carried out using a controlled speed and it is important for the cooling to be carried out relatively quickly. The preferred cooling rate can be between 1 and 400 ° C / s, preferably 50 ° C / s. The cooling to the critical temperature is done using carbon dioxide in the solid state, which is called carbon dioxide snow. The application of carbon dioxide is preferably carried out using a device that is provided with a nozzle arranged to distribute carbon dioxide in the solid state and wherein the nozzle is adapted to obtain a predetermined particle size for carbon dioxide and a predetermined velocity adapted for an effective extermination of the plague in question. Carbon dioxide can show a particle size between about 0.02 and 3 mm, preferably between approximately 0.05 and 2 mm. In this way, the carbon dioxide can show a particle size between 0.02 to 3 mm, preferably 0.05 to 2 mm at a distance of about 0.2 m from the pest and the velocity of the particles can be selected in the range of 0.5-200 m / s, preferably 5-125 m / s. The carbon dioxide atmosphere may contain 100% carbon dioxide, but atmospheres containing 30-99% carbon dioxide, preferably 50-95%, are also very effective. The carbon dioxide atmosphere can be driven with air. The method is suitable for the extermination of pests that are located in spaces designed for food production, in cooling chambers and containers designed for the refinement of grain such as mills. The invention is also suitable for the control of pests within spaces where humans and animals are found. The worms and arthropods such as insects and mealybugs, mites, etc., and all kinds of stages such as eggs, pupae, larvae and fully developed animals, are referred to as pests. The methods according to the present invention can also be used for the extermination of bacteria. Carbon dioxide is a toxic gas for insects, which not only acts through pure suffocation due to the absence of oxygen, but also shows a toxic effect by itself. An increased frequency in respiration, which is reached when cooled to the critical temperature of an atmosphere which leads totally or partially to an uptake and increased distribution of carbon dioxide to the body of the animal and therefore a toxic effect of dioxide of carbon. The reduced mobility of the insects in the face of cooling makes the treatment with carbon dioxide more efficient. In addition, a repeated treatment would be more effective for animals that are located in the edge portions of the treatment, since the insects that do not die have a worse response since they are already weakened due to the initial treatment. The above protection mechanisms, shown by the pests, consume energy and consume time. Therefore it is important to cool quickly. Dot ar dárfor dot ár sa viktigt att kyla for. The faster the temperature falls, the better the result will be. The method according to the invention effectively exterminates insects and larvae and also eggs, although insect eggs are more durable than larvae and adult insects. Carbon dioxide has the advantage that it does not leave behind residual products, is readily available and can be supplied in many package sizes. Normal production can be carried out during the whole procedure. The limitations due to a toxic chemical method are completely avoided using the method according to the invention. Additionally, the use of carbon dioxide also allows direct contact with the food and can be used in the entire equipment. As a result, there is no reason to evacuate staff during cleaning. The method according to the present invention also requires a minimum of protection of the clothes for the operator. Through the handling of grains or similar handling the need for preparative cleaning steps is reduced since the combination of the mixture of carbon dioxide cooled with flour without formation of aerosol, in comparison with the use of compressed air. This returns to the proper method for integration into current hygiene or cleaning routines. Carbon dioxide is generated as secondary products before the production of ammonia and hydrogen. Other sources are common fermentation procedures and the burning of lime. Since carbon dioxide has already been manufactured, no additional carbon dioxide is supplied to the atmosphere. The method according to the present invention can also be used for houses, animal or similar stables where the methods without poison increase. Example 1 describes cooling tests using different kinds of nozzles in different geometry classes. The objective of the tests is to generate a knowledge base for the construction of nozzles for cleaning with carbon dioxide that has sufficient cooling capacity, where the effect of extermination by quantity of gas used is satisfactory and to investigate the requirements for an effective extermination in geometries that represent the environments found in the food industry. The food industry consists of many materials that form many structures where insects can live and multiply. In the present test models have been built with the purpose of investigating the cooling capacity for different nozzles, which supply carbon dioxide snow that has different speeds and particle sizes. A unique factor that decides which type of snow quality carbon dioxide is most suitable, is how much thermal energy can be supplied to the surface for the sublimation of carbon dioxide snow. In this way, a heat-insulated surface becomes very cold while other surfaces require other qualities of snow for rapid cooling. The reason for this is that the gas layer formed and which prevents the penetration of snow particles to the surface. Since this layer has been shown to act by preventing the coupling of millimeters above the surface, insects can be protected from cooling. Except for the nature of the target surface, the cooling effect is determined by the particle size, velocity, angle of impact and intensity of incidence. The. Cleaner distance also affects the result since the particles are sublimated or clustered during their displacement between the nozzle and the target. In addition, the velocity of the particles changes when the distance changes. The four tested nozzles provide snow that has different particle size and speed and shows different cooling effects depending on the nature of the target. For each objective it has been shown that one quality of snow is better than another. A nozzle that provides all the qualities of snow would be desirable to always obtain the fastest cooling in different geometries. According to the invention a device for the extermination of pests is presented, wherein the device is provided with a nozzle positioned to distribute carbon dioxide in the solid state and wherein the nozzle is adapted to obtain a predetermined particle size and velocity of carbon dioxide adapted for the geometry of the pest that is found in the interior, and where the particle size and speed are optimized for an efficient extermination of the pest in question. Preferably, the particle size and particle velocity can be regulated for the solid carbon dioxide in the nozzle to adapt to different geometric conditions and for different kinds of pests. This will generate the need for only one nozzle for many applications. In one embodiment, the device can be constituted of a 2 mm syringe with C02 in liquid phase to a valve. From the valve three smaller syringes (approximately 0.7 mm) are directed to a cylindrical snow-forming chamber (approximately 13 x 125 mm). Thanks to the construction of the valve, C02 can be left in one, two or all of the three syringes to the nozzle. By allowing different amounts of liquid in the snow formation chamber, both particle size and velocity can also be varied. In another embodiment, the device may first subject the pest to an atmosphere which consists wholly or partially of carbon dioxide for a predetermined period of time and then cool the pest to a temperature which is lower than the critical temperature Tcrit / in where crit is defined as the temperature between the plague in question that is on the verge of death by freezing and the response with an increase in body temperature. The cooling in the critical temperature is done using carbon dioxide in solid state, wherein the carbon dioxide can have a particle size of between 0.02 and 3 mm, preferably 0.05 to 2 mm at a distance from the pest of about 0.2 mm and the particle size can be selected within the range of 0.5. -200 m / s, preferably 5-125 m / s. The carbon dioxide atmosphere may contain 100% carbon dioxide, but 30-99% carbon dioxide, preferably 50-95%, contents are also preferred. Carbon dioxide can also be driven with air. The devices according to the invention are suitable for the extermination of pests present in spaces designed for food production, in cooling chambers, pipes and containers designed for grain refinement such as, for example, mills. The method is also suitable for eliminating pests indoors, in places where they reside in humans or animals. As pests may be indicated for example worms or arthropods such as insects and cochineals, mites, etc., in all stages such as eggs, pupae, larvae and fully developed animals. The devices according to the present invention can also be used for the extermination of bacteria. Within the scope of the invention, a composition for the extermination of pests is provided consisting of carbon dioxide in solid state having a predetermined particle size and a particle velocity adapted for the type of pests that are exterminated and for the geometry of the plague that resides inside. The carbon dioxide can show a particle size of between 0.02 and 3 mm, preferably 0.05 to 2 mm at a distance of the pest of about 0.2 m and the particle velocity is selected within the range of 0.5-200 m / s, preferable way 5-125 m / s. The composition according to the invention are suitable for the extermination of pests present in spaces designed for food production, in cooling chambers, pipes and containers designed for grain refinement such as, for example, mills. The method is also suitable for eliminating pests indoors, in places where they reside in humans or animals. As the pests may be indicated, for example, worms or arthropods such as insects and mealybugs, mites, etc., in all stages such as eggs, pupae, larvae and fully developed animals. The composition according to the present invention can also be used for the extermination of bacteria. In addition, the use of solid state carbon dioxide having a predetermined particle size and a particle velocity for the preparation of a composition, arranged to effectively exterminate a certain kind of pest in certain geometries. The carbon dioxide in the composition can show a particle size of between 0.02 and 3 mm, preferably 0.05 to 2 mm at a distance of the pest of about 0.2 m and the particle velocity is selected within the range of 0.5-200 m / s, preferably 5-125 m / s. From one of the nozzles used that provides an extremely large particle velocity, a high-pressure syringe can be used, for example, for home cleaning without poisoning or space cleaning, where the spraying of the carbon dioxide particles which have an extremely high speed can eliminate waste and dust from these spaces. In the food industry, especially in mills is sprayed with compressed air is the reliable method to clean spaces, without poison. It suffers from several disadvantages such as the distribution of allergic compounds, more spores of molds and eggs of insects. However, many observations have shown significantly that compressed air generates a swirl in large quantities of flour and other pollutants in the air, compared to carbon dioxide. further, from an environmental work point of view, it is not appropriate to inhale the aforementioned aerosols when compressed air is used. Many workers who are employed in the food industry suffer from the problems, for example, of flour allergy. The carbon dioxide, which is a heavy gas, efficiently transports particulate meal or particulate contaminants down to the floor, where the mixture can be easily removed by, for example, sweeping. The use of carbon dioxide for these applications effectively solves the above problems.

A device according to the invention can be provided with nozzles or syringes, from which gaseous carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide in the effectively uncooled solid state can be discharged, from the flour and other contaminants that can be integrated into the equipment. procedure, for example, of a food processing plant. This will provide effective cleaning at the place in question in the food processing plant, for example, in pipes and different kinds of containers and containers. Since the formation of aerosol is significantly reduced compared to the use of compressed air, carbon dioxide can provide a cleaning action in addition to the effect caused by the cooling. Insects and other pests, molds and bacteria consequently lose their food due to cleanliness and this generates an improved hygiene standard within the food processing plant. The devices according to the invention can also be moved to various places within a food processing plant. The cleaning effect may vary depending on the conditions of the place in question. If more precautions are to be taken in sensitive places due to allergic contamination, lower speeds of gas or solid particles of carbon dioxide, for example 40 m / s, may be used. Depending on the conditions at the location, other particle and gas velocities can be selected to perform both the cooling of the spaces in question and to provide a jetting effect on the surfaces. A speed of about 80-125 m / s can be an adequate range to obtain both the freezing of insects and pests and the erosion of unwanted accumulation of flour, fat or the like. If necessary, one can use speeds close to the speed of sound, which can be presented close to the carbon dioxide output syringe. It may also be useful to further increase the pressure and thus speed, for example by combining the mixture with another gas or in some other way. The carbon dioxide can show a particle size of between 0.02 and 3 mm, preferably 0.05 to 2 mm at a target distance of about 0.2 m and the particle velocity is selected within the range of 0.5-200 m / s, preferably from 5-125 m / s. The erosion effect can be increased on the surfaces where the outlet openings or the nozzles can be assembled in sets in order to better cover the surface to be treated. It is also possible to allow one or more exit openings to rotate. The outlet opening can rotate to itself and many outlet openings can rotate around each other. This increases the erosion effect and provides improved coverage / freezing of the surfaces or volumes surrounded by these surfaces. The invention will not be limited to only plants - - of food processing but can provide an efficient cleaning without poisons of any suitable target especially targets that have complicated geometric structures that are difficult to achieve.

Experimental section The invention will be described below with a greater relationship to the following non-limiting examples.

Cooling tests using different nozzles in different geometry classes The objective of the tests is first to create a knowledge base for the construction of nozzles for cleaning using carbon dioxide that has sufficient cooling capacity, where the extermination effect for the amount of gas used, it is satisfactory and second, to investigate the requirements for an effective examination of the geometries that represent the environments found in the food industry. The four tested nozzles provide a carbon dioxide snow that has different particle sizes and speeds and that shows different cooling efficiencies depending on the nature of the target. For each objective it has been shown that a - - Snow quality is better than other. It would be desirable to have a nozzle that provides all the qualities of snow in order to always obtain the fastest cooling in different geometries. The nozzle P2: 1 provides a relatively large size of carbon dioxide snow with a relatively low particle velocity. The P2: 3 nozzle provides a smaller size of carbon dioxide snow and a higher particle velocity compared to P2: 1. The nozzle P2: 3 + tube is the nozzle P2: 3 which is provided with a tube, the which provides a nozzle having a particle velocity that is at the velocity of P2: L and P2: 3, but approximately equally large particles as for P2: 3, without tube. The nozzle Pl: l provides a relatively smaller particle size and particle velocity compared to the other nozzles. Four different geometries have been investigated. The application of carbon dioxide snow has been done using different nozzles. The distances, angles and times of spraying have been varied and are presented in the results section. Measurement data have been generated using thermowelded elements by a thin machine that has a weight close to that of an insect. Example 1 Test in a double stainless steel bending tube. - 4 - The tube has an internal diameter of 45 rare and a good thickness of 4 mm. The total length is approximately 2.5 m. The first 90 ° fold is located 1.87 m in the tube and the other fold is bent to 90 ° 0.5 m after the first fold. The tube is incinerated so that the first fold is oriented upwards. The thermoelements are placed in plastic pieces on the internal surface showing the distance of 0.215 m and 0.870 m from the entrance of the straight portion of the tube. The third thermocouple is placed just after the first bend and the fourth thermocouple in the second bend. The thermoelements are indicated as l, K3, K9 and Kll. Tables 1-7 below show the cooling inside the tubes. Figure 2 is a graph showing the cooling inside a tube for different nozzles at different distances from the opening of the tube. Figure 5 shows the comparison between a nozzle P2: 3, in different spraying times.

Table 1. The cooling inside the tubes is represented. Nozzle Pl: l. Spray time of 30 s. The nozzle is placed approximately 30 mm inside the tube. The amount of gas used is 590 g.

Temperature Point Temperature Change of ° C / initial measurement quantity, minimum ° C, ° C used temperature of ° C gas (g) Kl 4 -21 25 0.042 K3 9 -35 44 0.075 K9 21 -31 52 0.088 Kll 23 -30 54 0.092 The extermination is obtained in all measuring points except for the first.

Table 2. The cooling inside the tubes is represented. Nozzle P2: 1. Spray time of 30 s. L nozzle is placed approximately 30 mm inside the tub (no air is sucked inside). The amount of gas used is 700 g.

Temperature Point Temperature Change of ° C / quantity initial measurement, ° C minimum, ° C used temperature of gas ° C (g) Kl 21 -43 64 0.091 K3 13 -19 32 0.047 K9 18 -10 28 0.040 Kll 23 -2 25 0.036 It can be noticed that a large amount of condensate forms when snow is present in the tube.

Table 3. The cooling inside the tubes is represented. Nozzle P2: 1. Spray time of 30 s. The nozzle is placed approximately -0 mm inside the tube (air is suctioned inside). The amount of gas used is 700 g.

A comparison between table 2 and 3 provides a small change, but a slight improvement can be observed in the inner deep part of the tube. A condensate forms.

Table 4 - - The cooling inside the tubes is represented. Nozzle P2: 3. Spray time of 30 s. The nozzle is placed approximately 30 mm inside the tube. The amount used of qas is 340 g.

Table 5. The cooling inside the tubes is represented. Nozzle P2: 3. Spray time of 60 s. The nozzle is placed approximately 30 mm inside the tube. The amount of gas used is 680 g.

- - Table 6. The cooling inside the tubes is represented. Nozzle P2: 3 + 2 m of U8 tube. Spray time of 30 s. The nozzle is placed approximately 30 mm inside the tube. The air remains inside the tube. The amount of gas used is 340 g.

Table 7 The cooling inside the tubes is represented. Nozzle P2: 3 + 2 m of U8 tube. Spray time of 30 s. The nozzle is placed approximately 30 mm inside the tube. The air is posterior to the inside of the tube. The amount of gas used is 340 g.

It can be noted in relation to table 6 and 7 that cooling is not effective for all measuring points. It may be because the snow has a very low speed.

Example 2 Tests on a wedge. Two aluminum panels of 400 mm x 100 mm are placed one above the other in such a way that they form a wedge having an opening of 1 mm at the top and 0 mm at the bottom. The thickness of the panel is 1 mm. The panels are flared out a little when they are - hold by the pressure of carbon dioxide. The thermoelements are placed on the surface without contact with the panel in 3mm recessed holes. The lower and upper measuring point are placed 5 mm from the respective edge and one third in the middle. The measurement points are indicated as Kl, K3 and K9 from the surface to the bottom. Tables 8-11 below show cooling in a wedge. Figure 3 is a graph showing the cooling in a wedge for different nozzles at different depths in the wedge.

Table 8. Cooling in a wedge. Nozzle Pl: l. Distance, 60 mm from one side. The wedge is mounted to have its longitudinal axis placed vertically. Spray time, 3 seconds. Initial temperature of approximately 25 ° C. Amount of gas, 59 g.

Temperature point Change of ° C / minimum measurement quantity ° C used temperature of ° C gas Kl -57 82 1.39 K3 -20 45 0.76 K9 -50 75 1.27 - - Table 9. Cooling in a wedge. Nozzle P2: l. Distance, 60 mm from the top. The wedge is mounted to have its longitudinal axis placed vertically. Spray time, 3 seconds. Initial temperature of approximately 22 ° C. Amount of gas, 72.5 g.

Table 10. Cooling in a wedge. Nozzle P2: 3. Distance, 60 mm from the top. The wedge is mounted to have its longitudinal axis placed vertically. Spray time, 3 seconds. Initial temperature of approximately 22 ° C. Gas consumed, 33.5 g.

- - Table 11. Cooling in a wedge. P2 nozzle: 3 + 2m of steel reinforced silica tubing with a woven layer (U8). Distance, 60 mm from the top. The wedge is mounted with its longitudinal axis placed vertically. Spray time, 3 seconds. Initial temperature of approximately 22 ° C. Amount of gas, 33.5 g.

The best cooling result is obtained by sprinkling perpendicularly to the fracture.

The optimum distance depends on the speed of the snow and the particle size, but the test shows that it is advantageous to keep the test nozzles close to the slit.

Use 3 Tests on a flat surface. An aluminum panel having the dimensions of 30 x 30 x 0.5 mm is provided with a thermoelement that is adhesively bonded to the surface in one of the corners.

The panel is heat insulated by applying a cell rubber tape on the back. Tables 12-15 show cooling on a flat surface. The cooling effect for the different kinds of nozzles over different distances from the target. Table 16 shows the cooling of a flat surface. The same nozzle | at different spray times. Figure 4 is a graph showing the cooling on a flat surface for the different nozzles at different distances from the nozzle and the flat surface.

Table 12. Cooling on a flat surface. Nozzle P2: 3. Distance of 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 cm. Time of - - 3 s spray Objective: isolated aluminum panel. Initial temperature of approximately 25 ° C before a new application. Amount of gas used, 34 g.

It can be noticed that the extermination is worse in the distances of 10 and 15 cm.

Table 13. Cooling on a flat surface. Nozzle Pl: l. Distance of 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 cm. Spray time 3 s. Objective: isolated aluminum panel. Initial temperature of approximately 25 ° C before a new application. Amount of gas used, 59 g.

Distance Temperature Change of ° C / quantity nozzle- minimum temperature used of objective (cm) obtained ° C ° C gas 1 -47 72 1.22 5 -33 58 1.00 10 -28 53 0.91 15 -30 55 0.93 20 - - - 30 - 33 58 1.00 40 -15 40 0.75 A measurement point is lost. This means that the critical distance for the nozzle is 30 or 40 cm. If the time increases to 10 s, the minimum temperature increases -65 ° C. The temperature change is 90 ° C and the efficiency is 90/118 ~ 0.76. Therefore it is effective to increase the spray time in more than 3 s. At a distance of 40 cm, -40 ° C is obtained after 10s and -67 ° C when the spray is by pulses of 10 + 15 s.

Table 14. Cooling on a flat surface. Nozzle P2: l. Distance of 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 cm. Spray time 3 s. Objective: isolated aluminum panel.

- - Initial temperature of approximately 25 ° C before a new application. Amount of gas used, 70 g.

A good temperature of total extermination.

Table 15. Cooling on a flat surface. P2 nozzle: 3 + 2 m of reinforced steel silicon tubing with a woven layer (U8). Distance of 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 cm. Spray time 3 s. Objective: isolated aluminum panel. Initial temperature of approximately 25 ° C before a new application. Amount of gas used, 34 g.

- - Table 16. Cooling on a flat surface. Spray times vary. The other conditions remain constant. P2 nozzle: 3 + 2 m of reinforced steel silicon tubing with a woven layer (U8). Spray time of 3, 5, 10 and 15 s. Objective: isolated aluminum panel. Distance of 20 cm. Initial temperature of approximately 25 ° C before a new application. Amount of gas used, 34 g.

Time of Quantity Temperature Change of ° C / amount of spray used minimum temperature of gas used (g) obtained ° C of gas 3 34 -19 44 1.29 5 56 -30 55 0.98 10 113 -40 65 0.58 15 170 -48 73 0.43 Snow accumulation occurs in the layers in all four cases. For a better gas consumption it is important not to spray for a prolonged period. However, the cooling increases during this time. The gas pressure helps to maintain the thickness of the gas layer that is formed by the snow and prevents the transfer of energy, this effect is probably more pronounced when the snow speed is higher.

Example 4 Tests on a flat isolated surface. The aluminum panel of Example 3 above is provided with a cell rubber layer with a thickness of 10 mm, on which a flat thermal element is attached.

Table 17 shows the cooling of an isolated surface using cell rubber and Table 18 shows the cooling of the previous thermal element covered with a cardboard sheet to simulate the effect of a layer of flour. Table 17 Cooling of an insulated surface covered with rubber cells. P2 nozzle: 3 + 2 m, reinforced steel silicon pipe with a woven layer (U (8. Spray time of 3, 5, 10 and 15 s) Objective: thermal element of a cell rubber surface. : 20 cm Initial temperature of approximately 22 ° C before a new application Used quantity of gas, 34 g.

The longer the spray time is, the longer the period required for the snow to fall. This makes unnecessary long spraying times unnecessary.

Table 18. Test of a cardboard sheet (approximately 20 x 20 mm) adhesively bonded to the top of an insulated thermal element. Spray time, 3 s. Distance of approximately 30 cm. Reconditioning at approximately 20 ° C between tests.

Nozzle P2: 3 with tube is the protruding nozzle.

The invention is not considered as limited to the modalities and examples shown in the description but must be interpreted within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (32)

1. CLAIMS 1. A device for the extermination of pests such as, for example, worms and arthropods such as insects and mealybugs, mites, etc., characterized in that the device is provided with a nozzle arranged to distribute carbon dioxide in the solid state to create an atmosphere that is constituted of carbon dioxide and wherein the nozzle is adapted to obtain a predetermined particle size and velocity of carbon dioxide adapted for the geometry of the pest that are located in the interior and where the particle size and speed are optimized for an effective extermination of the plague in question. 2. A device for the extermination of pests such as, for example, worms and arthropods such as insects and mealybugs, mites, etc., characterized in that the device is arranged to perform the following steps: first cool the pest to an equal or lower temperature at the critical temperature Tcrit, where Tcrj.t is defined as the temperature at which the pest is at the limit of death by freezing or responds with an increase in body temperature and when the pest subject to an atmosphere which is constituted total or partially carbon dioxide for a predetermined period of time which can exterminate the pest. The device as described in claim 2, wherein cooling to a critical temperature is performed using carbon dioxide in the solid state. 4. The device as described in claims 2-3, wherein "the carbon dioxide shows a particle size between 0.02 and 3 mm 5. The device as described in claims 2-4, wherein the Carbon dioxide shows a particle size between 0.02 and 3 mm, preferably 0.1 and 2 mm at a distance from the pest of about 0.2 m and a particle velocity that is selected within the range of 0.5-200 m / s, preferably 5-125 m / s 6. The device as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein the carbon dioxide atmosphere contains 100% carbon dioxide 7. The device as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein the carbon dioxide atmosphere contains 20-99% carbon dioxide, preferably 30-95% 8. The device as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein the atmosphere of the carbon dioxide is driven with air. The device as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein the pests are located in spaces designed for food production. 10. The device as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein the pests are located in a cooling chamber. The device as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein the pests are located in pipes and vessels designed for grain refinement such as in mills. 12. The device as described in claims 15-22, wherein the pests are located in the interior in spaces where humans and animals reside. The device as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein it is possible to regulate the particle size and the particle velocity of the solid carbon dioxide in the nozzle for adaptation to different geometric conditions and to different kinds of pests. 14. The composition for the extermination of pests similar to, for example, worms and arthropods such as insects and mealybugs, mites, etc., comprising carbon dioxide in solid state showing a predetermined particle size adapted for the class of pests which are going to be examined and for the geometry of the plague that is located in the interior. 15. The composition as described in claim 14, wherein the carbon dioxide shows a particle size of between 0.02 and 3 mm. 16. The composition as described in claims 14 or 15, wherein the carbon dioxide shows a particle size between 0.02 and 3 mm, preferably 0.1 and 2 mm at a distance of the pest in question of about 0.2 m and the velocity of the particles is selected within the range of 0.5- 200 m / s, preferably 5-125 m / s. 17. The use of carbon dioxide in the solid state for a predetermined particle size for the preparation of the composition arranged to effectively kill certain class of pests such as, for example, worms and arthropods such as insects and cochineals, mites, etc. , in a certain predetermined geometry. 18. The use as described in claim 17, wherein the carbon dioxide shows a particle size of between 0.02 and 3 mm. The use as described in claim 17 or 18, wherein the carbon dioxide shows a particle size of between 0.02 and 3 mm, preferably 0.1 and 2 mm at a distance from the pest of about 0.2 m and the The particle velocity is selected within the range of 0.5-200 m / s, preferably 5-125 m / s. 20. A method for the extermination of pests such as, for example, worms and arthropods such as insects and mealybugs, mites, etc., which comprises the following steps: first cooling the pest to a temperature equal to or lower than the critical temperature Tcrit , where Tcrit is defined as the temperature at which the pest is at the limit of death by freezing or where it responds with an increase in body temperature, and then subjecting the pest to an atmosphere which is totally or partially comprised of carbon dioxide for a predetermined period of time which will destroy the pest .. 21. The method as described in claim 20, wherein cooling to the critical temperature is performed using a controlled rate. 22. The method as described in any of claims 20-21, wherein cooling to the critical temperature is performed using carbon dioxide in the solid state. The method as described in any of claims 20-22, wherein the application of carbon dioxide is carried out using a device that is provided with a nozzle arranged to distribute carbon dioxide in solid state and wherein the nozzle is it adapts to provide a predetermined particle size of carbon dioxide and a predetermined rate adapted to an "efficient" extermination of the pests in question 24. The method as described in any of claims 20-23, wherein the carbon dioxide shows a particle size between 0.02 and 3 in. 25. The method as described in any of claims 20-24, wherein the carbon dioxide shows a particle size between 0.02 and 3 mm, preferably 0.1 and 2 mm at a distance from the pest in about 0.2 m and the particle velocity is selected within the range of 0.5-200 m / s, preferably 5-12 5 m / s 26. The method as described in any of claims 20-25, wherein the carbon dioxide atmosphere contains 100% carbon dioxide. 27. The method as described in any of claims 20-26, wherein the carbon dioxide atmosphere contains 30-99% carbon dioxide, preferably 50-95%. 28. The method as described in any of claims 20-27, wherein the carbon dioxide atmosphere is pulsed together with air. 29. The method as described in any of claims 20-28, wherein the pests are located in spaces designed for food production. 30. The method as described in any of claims 21-28, wherein the pests are located in a cooling chamber. The method as described in any of claims 21-28, wherein the pests are located in pipes and vessels designed for grain refinement such as in mills. 32. The method as described in any of claims 21-28, wherein the pests are located in the interior in spaces where humans and animals reside.