Thermal Disinfestation of Stored Grain Insects Using Solar Energy

Fawki, Shams; Aboelsoud, Walid; Elbaz, Ahmed M. R.

doi:10.21608/eajbsa.2022.276328

Thermal Disinfestation of Stored Grain Insects Using Solar Energy

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia 11566, Cairo, Egypt

² Department of Mechanical Power Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University, Abbasia, 11517 Cairo, Egypt. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7907-3437

³ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The British University in Egypt, EL Sherouk city, 11837 Cairo, Egypt. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5371-8057

10.21608/eajbsa.2022.276328

Abstract

Chemical control, especially fumigants, is the most used method to control stored-grain pests. A safer alternative for disinfestation is to heat grains to a temperature of 50-60^oC. However, this alternative consumes high thermal energy due to the relatively high temperature required to achieve the required goal. In the present paper, a grain solar heating system has been developed to achieve this high temperature/short time technique to control Callosobruchus maculatus, one of the most common pests of many legumes. The solar heating system provides an attractive alternative to conventional electric heating systems or gas-fired heating systems. The present results show that the proposed system is successful in suppressing C. maculatus population within 115 min under temperatures from 55 to 57^oC. This thermal range is capable of controlling most of the stored grain insects. Employing solar heating provides a simple, energy-saving alternative to small and medium-scale applications.

Keywords