An apparatus and method for using a thermal treatment to decontaminate liquid nutrients used in horticulture and intended to be reused

摘要

Apparatus for using a thermal treatment to decontaminate liquid nutrients used in horticulture and intended to be reused, possibly containing crop protection agents, comprises a heating apparatus for heating the liquid nutrient to a temperature at which pathogens are killed, a regenerative heat exchanger for preheating the liquid nutrient, a delivery line for delivering the liquid preheated in the regenerative heat exchanger to the heating apparatus, and a discharge line for discharging liquid heated in the heating apparatus to the regenerative heat exchanger, where heat exchange can take place between the liquid to be preheated and the decontaminated liquid. To achieve improved thermal efficiency (heat efficiency) and less pollution, the heating apparatus consists of a closed tank provided with a flue gas discharge, a burner of which at least the burner pipe opens into the tank, and spraying means for spraying the preheated liquid coming from the regenerative heat exchanger, the arrangement being such that the sprayed preheated liquid is heated in direct contact with the flue gases of the burner.