A plasma generating system capable of generating a cold plasma. The plasma generating includes two electrodes, a DC voltage source capable of applying a constant DC voltage between the two electrodes, an insulator located in proximity of the two electrodes, and a gas filling a gap between the two electrodes, wherein cold plasma in the form of series of repetitive streamer breakdowns of the gas is generated, in response to the constant DC voltage applied between the two electrodes. A method of producing and storing a sterilizing gas. The method includes providing a flow of a gas into a chamber, generating cold plasma through repetitive streamer breakdowns of the gas in response to an applied DC voltage, resulting in the gas becoming a sterilizing gas. A method of sterilizing an object. The method includes exposing an object to be sterilized to the sterilizing gas for a period of time.

A plasma generating system capable of generating a cold plasma. The plasma generating includes two electrodes, a DC voltage source capable of applying a constant DC voltage between the two electrodes, an insulator located in proximity of the two electrodes, and a gas filling a gap between the two electrodes, wherein cold plasma in the form of series of repetitive streamer breakdowns of the gas is generated, in response to the constant DC voltage applied between the two electrodes. A method of producing and storing a sterilizing gas. The method includes providing a flow of a gas into a chamber, generating cold plasma through repetitive streamer breakdowns of the gas in response to an applied DC voltage, resulting in the gas becoming a sterilizing gas. A method of sterilizing an object. The method includes exposing an object to be sterilized to the sterilizing gas for a period of time.

A method of continuously treating a substance in the form of divided solids, includes the steps of introducing the substance into an enclosure in which there exists an ozonated atmosphere under pressure, conveying the substance in the enclosure with a continuous movement in such a manner that the substance is located continuously in the ozonated atmosphere while it is being conveyed in the enclosure, the substance being conveyed by a conveyor screw ounted to rotate inside the enclosure about a given axis, and unloading the substance from the enclosure via the outlet after a single passage of the substance through the enclosure.

A method of continuously treating a substance in the form of divided solids, includes the steps of introducing the substance into an enclosure in which there exists an ozonated atmosphere under pressure, conveying the substance in the enclosure with a continuous movement in such a manner that the substance is located continuously in the ozonated atmosphere while it is being conveyed in the enclosure, the substance being conveyed by a conveyor screw ounted to rotate inside the enclosure about a given axis, and unloading the substance from the enclosure via the outlet after a single passage of the substance through the enclosure.

The invention relates to a method for the microbial decontamination of packaged solid food by means of essential oils (EOs), comprising vacuum evaporation of the EOs, and vacuum applying the EO vapours to the solid food arranged in an open container, wherein said vapours are drawn along by air or by a mixture of food-grade gases and guided to the vacuum enclosure containing the packaged food to be microbiologically decontaminated.

Disclosed are methods of thermal fogging that include dispensing a predetermined amount of an agricultural formulation from a cartridge, wherein the agricultural formulation has a viscosity of greater than about 500 cP at room temperature; using an inline heater to heat the predetermined amount of the agricultural formulation to a predetermined temperature, wherein the agricultural formulation has a viscosity of less than about 400 cP at or above 140 degrees Fahrenheit; and aerosolizing the agricultural formulation with a thermal fogging apparatus. Also disclosed are systems for carrying out the methods, as well as cartridges for use in the disclosed systems.

Disclosed are methods of thermal fogging that include dispensing a predetermined amount of an agricultural formulation from a cartridge, wherein the agricultural formulation has a viscosity of greater than about 500 cP at room temperature; using an inline heater to heat the predetermined amount of the agricultural formulation to a predetermined temperature, wherein the agricultural formulation has a viscosity of less than about 400 cP at or above 140 degrees Fahrenheit; and aerosolizing the agricultural formulation with a thermal fogging apparatus. Also disclosed are systems for carrying out the methods, as well as cartridges for use in the disclosed systems.

The present disclosure relates to a method for treating an object with chlorine dioxide gas, comprising contacting the object with chlorine dioxide gas while exposing the object to less than 1000 lux of light. The disclosed method minimizes chlorine containing residue on the surface of the object. The object can be a raw agricultural commodity (RAC) such as a raw fruit or vegetable.

The present disclosure relates to a method for treating an object with chlorine dioxide gas, comprising contacting the object with chlorine dioxide gas while exposing the object to less than 1000 lux of light. The disclosed method minimizes chlorine containing residue on the surface of the object. The object can be a raw agricultural commodity (RAC) such as a raw fruit or vegetable.

The invention relates to a method for continuous gasification with SO.sub.2 gas, using a conveyor belt apparatus that moves along five stations, each station designed for a specific process and having a pre-determined space or module where its process is carried out. The conveyor belt is programmed to alternately advance module 1 and stops in the stations for a certain amount of time or a break so that the processes can be simultaneously verified in the five stations. The invention uses the instability of the SO.sub.2 gas in relation to water, a phenomenon which is accentuated and accelerated according to its lowest temperature, reaching its maximum potential at 0 C. The instability of the gas refers to the fact that the gas is absorbed by the water, forming a sulfurous acid solution. According to the method, the fruit is first cooled and is then exposed to the environment so that the humidity condenses thereon, said cold humidity causing a rapid and total absorption of the SO.sub.2 gas which is dispersed in the environment. The method provides for a sequence in three continuous stations: a refrigeration station, a humidifying station and a gasification station.