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.

A method for decontaminating articles having porous outer surfaces. The method includes steps of: providing a decontamination chamber; conveying the articles through the decontamination chamber at a predetermined speed wherein the speed is selected such that the articles are disposed in the decontamination chamber for a predetermined period of time; providing a source of sterilant vapor, the source providing the sterilant vapor at a temperature within a predetermined acceptable temperature range and at a concentration within a predetermined acceptable concentration range; conveying a sterilant vapor from the source of sterilant vapor to the decontamination chamber; and exposing the articles to the sterilant vapor. The predetermined period of time and the predetermined acceptable concentration range of the sterilant vapor are selected such that the sterilant vapor does not penetrate the porous outer surfaces of the articles.

Disclosed is an apparatus for inactivating bacteria and/or reducing microbial count on a food product or a container therefore, which is susceptible to surface and sub-surface microbial presence is provided, said apparatus comprising a sealable chamber which is operably connected to i) an ozone generator for generating ozone gas, and ii) an evacuation fan for forcing movement of ozone gas through the sealable chamber. Also disclosed is a method for inactivating bacteria and/or reducing microbial count on a food product or a container therefore, which is susceptible to surface and sub-surface microbial presence is provided, said method comprising a) providing a plurality of said food product or container in a sealable chamber which is operably connected to i) an ozone generator for generating ozone gas, and ii) an evacuation fan for forcing movement of ozone gas vertically through the sealable chamber; b) creating condensation on surface of the food product or container by adjusting humidity in the sealable chamber to reach a predetermined humidity; c) operating the ozone generator and the evacuation fan to generate a predetermined exhaust air velocity to pass ozone gas generated by the ozone generator through the sealable chamber for a predetermined period of dwell time; and d) expelling ozone gas from the sealable chamber. The present invention further provides for a method for reducing a level of bacteria, yeast, mold and mildew in or on a container.

Disclosed is an apparatus for inactivating bacteria and/or reducing microbial count on a food product or a container therefore, which is susceptible to surface and sub-surface microbial presence is provided, said apparatus comprising a sealable chamber which is operably connected to i) an ozone generator for generating ozone gas, and ii) an evacuation fan for forcing movement of ozone gas through the sealable chamber. Also disclosed is a method for inactivating bacteria and/or reducing microbial count on a food product or a container therefore, which is susceptible to surface and sub-surface microbial presence is provided, said method comprising a) providing a plurality of said food product or container in a sealable chamber which is operably connected to i) an ozone generator for generating ozone gas, and ii) an evacuation fan for forcing movement of ozone gas vertically through the sealable chamber; b) creating condensation on surface of the food product or container by adjusting humidity in the sealable chamber to reach a predetermined humidity; c) operating the ozone generator and the evacuation fan to generate a predetermined exhaust air velocity to pass ozone gas generated by the ozone generator through the sealable chamber for a predetermined period of dwell time; and d) expelling ozone gas from the sealable chamber. The present invention further provides for a method for reducing a level of bacteria, yeast, mold and mildew in or on a container.

Technologies for providing a gas inlet and gas outlet to a compartment are described. In embodiments, the technologies include a dual channel connector unit that includes an inlet passageway and an outlet passageway. In embodiments at least a portion of the outlet passageway is disposed radially around the inlet passageway. The connector unit is configured to install into a portion (e.g., wall, bottom, top, or lid) of a compartment. Systems and methods including such connector units are also described.

Methods and systems for treatment of grain for toxins and/or odor utilize a storage container having a grain storage space and an aeration floor that allows air to flow through the aeration floor into the grain storage space. Ozone (mixed with air) is supplied to the grain through the aeration floor under positive pressure, whereby ozone is forced through the aeration floor into a lower portion of the grain storage space. After an initial treatment time, the initial treatment time allowing for the ozone to reduce toxins and/or odor in a lowermost portion of the initial quantity of grain an effective or desired amount, a lowermost portion or a lower treated portion of the grain in the grain storage space is removed, and new grain is added on top of the grain in the grain storage space, all while continuing to supply ozone through the aeration floor under positive pressure.

Methods and systems for treatment of grain for toxins and/or odor utilize a storage container having a grain storage space and an aeration floor that allows air to flow through the aeration floor into the grain storage space. Ozone (mixed with air) is supplied to the grain through the aeration floor under positive pressure, whereby ozone is forced through the aeration floor into a lower portion of the grain storage space. After an initial treatment time, the initial treatment time allowing for the ozone to reduce toxins and/or odor in a lowermost portion of the initial quantity of grain an effective or desired amount, a lowermost portion or a lower treated portion of the grain in the grain storage space is removed, and new grain is added on top of the grain in the grain storage space, all while continuing to supply ozone through the aeration floor under positive pressure.

A method of 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 vibration means causing the enclosure to vibrate, and unloading the substance from the enclosure via the outlet after a single passage of the substance through the enclosure.

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.