Microwave fumigation

Sebastian Georgiew <sebastian [at] students__lincoln__ac__uk> writes

>I am currently researching the possibility to use microwave heat as
>a way to eradicate insects in wooden objects.

Household microwave ovens use extremely high frequency radio waves
to heat up materials that contain water molecules in bound or free
form and also fats and sugar. Unfortunately this does not only
effect insects or fungi in the various stages of their live cycle,
but also heats up adjacent hygroscopic materials to high
temperatures, depending on exposure time and radiation intensity.

A German company <URL:http://www.dr-termite.net> (in German, English
version in preparation) provides mobile microwave eradication
equipment using lower frequencies and different energy levels.
Temperature and moisture fluctuations resulting from this method
seem to be within an acceptable range without adverse effects on the
objects. This method has been applied in the conservation of
building components, textile wall hangings and composite museum
objects.

Henning Schulze
Furniture Conservation and Restoration Course
The Furniture College
Galway Mayo Institute of Technology
Letterfrack Campus
Letterfrack
County Galway
Ireland
+353 95 41 660
Fax: +353 95 41 112


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 18:53
                  Distributed: Saturday, May 14, 2005
                       Message Id: cdl-18-53-003
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