Monitoring technology of gas concentration in fumigation: a review

Main Article Content

Chukiat Chotikasatian
Atiwat Boonmee
Woraya Neungmatcha
Watcharapol Chayaprasert

Abstract

   Fumigation is one of the most effective methods for controlling insect pests and reducing postharvest losses in stored products. Since accurate measurements of fumigant concentrations are keys to achieving high fumigation efficacy and ensuring personnel safety, this review article aims to provide overall understanding of different technologies in fumigant gas sensors. The working principles as well as criteria for selecting fumigant monitoring devices are discussed. The types of devices discussed include colorimetric tubes, thermal conductivity sensors, electrochemical sensors, non-dispersive infrared sensors and optical interferometers. This article primarily focuses on efficacy monitoring, while briefly addresses safety/clearance monitoring to provide contextual comparisons. Future trends toward integrated monitoring systems and wireless sensors are also discussed.

Article Details

How to Cite
Chotikasatian, C., Boonmee, A., Neungmatcha, W., & Chayaprasert, W. (2026). Monitoring technology of gas concentration in fumigation: a review. Thai Society of Agricultural Engineering Journal, 32(1), 21–30. retrieved from https://li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TSAEJ/article/view/270961
Section
Post-harvest and food engineering
Author Biography

Chukiat Chotikasatian, Industrial Education, Faculty of Science and Technology, Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University, Nakhon Pathom, 73000

Research program focuses on techniques and equipment utilization for measuring biological activities in storage systems of agricultural commodities based on CO2/O2 concentrations, the reduction of post-harvest loss. My goal in research is to provide criteria for verification that insect populations have reached an unacceptable level. This focus will be useful to pest fumigators and feed manufactures as they have a decision support to fumigate grain bin and other grain storage structures. I am confident that the engineered technologies for the protection of stored products are the most powerful tool we have but they have to be studied to find a suitable method to handle. Additionally, I am also focusing on agricultural product drying and intelligent drying systems.

References

Bond, E.J. 1984. Manual of fumigation for insect control, FAO Plant Production and Protection Papers - 54, Rome, Italy, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Brabec, D., Kaloudis, E., Athanassiou, C.G., Campbell, J., Agrafioti, P., Scheff, D.S., Bantas, S., Sotiroudas, V. 2022. Fumigation Monitoring and Modeling of Hopper-Bottom Railcars Loaded with Corn Grits. Journal of Biosystems Engineering 47, 358–369.

Brabec, D.L., Campbell, J., Arthur, F., Casada, M., Tilley, D., Bantas, S. 2019. Evaluation of Wireless Phosphine Sensors for Monitoring Fumigation Gas in Wheat Stored in Farm Bins. Insects 10(5), 121.

Centaur Analytics. 2023. Intelligent pest management and fumigation. Centaur Analytics Inc. Available at: https://centaur.ag/pest-control-and-fumigations/. Accessed on 19 March 2023.

Chayaprasert, W., Maier, D.E. 2024. Fumigation process using chemicals and controlled or modified atmospheres. In: Jayas, D.S. (Ed.), Control and Management of Pests in Stored Products (pp. 190-240). Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press.

Cryer, S.A. 2008. Predicted gas loss of sulfuryl fluoride and methyl bromide during structural fumigation. Journal of Stored Products Research 44(1), 1–10.

Douglas Products. 2017a. Applicator manual for ProFume® gas fumigant. (Liberty, Missouri, United States of America: Douglas Products and Packaging Co LLC.

Douglas Products. 2017b. Maximizing resources: Fumiguide™ program helps flour mill achieve fumigation success. (Liberty, Missouri, United States of America: Douglas Products and Packaging Company LLC.

Dräger. 2022. Dräger short-term tubes. Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA. Available at: https://www.draeger.com/en_seeur/Products/Short-term-Tubes?s=354. Accessed on 22 February 2022.

Dräger. 2023. Multi gas detectors. Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA. Available at: https://www.draeger.com/en-us_us/Productselector/Portable-Gas-Detection/Multi-Gas-Detectors?page=1&i=safety. Accessed on 18 March 2023.

Graver, J.v.S. 2004. Guide to Fumigation Under Gas-Proof Sheets. (Rome, Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Key Chemical & Equiment Co. 2022. Fumiscope Version 5.1 Manual. Key Chemical & Equiment Co. Available at: http://www.fumiscope.com/pdf/51englishlanguagefumiscopemanual.pdf. Accessed on 25 February 2022.

Mühle, J., Huang, J., Weiss, R.F., Prinn, R.G., Miller, B.R., Salameh, P.K., Harth, C.M., Fraser, P.J., Porter, L.W., Greally, B.R., O’Doherty, S., Simmonds, P.G., Krummel, P.B., Steele, L.P. 2009. Sulfuryl fluoride in the global atmosphere. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 114, D05306.

Nayak, M.K., Holloway, J.C., Emery, R.N., Pavic, H., Bartlet, J., Collins, P.J. 2013. Strong resistance to phosphine in the rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae): its characterisation, a rapid assay for diagnosis and its distribution in Australia. Pest Management Science 69, 48–53.

NIOSH. 2014. Sulfuryl fluoride: Immediately dangerous to life or health concentrations (IDLH). The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/idlh/2699798.html. Accessed on 24 February 2026.

Pengkum, K., Uraichuen, J., Suthisut, D. 2018. The Proper Phosphine Fumigation to Control Flat Grain Beetle Resistance Strains. (Bangkok, Thailand: Postharvest and Processing Research and Development Division, Department of Agriculture.

Reichmuth, C.H., Klementz, D., Rassmann, W., Stenglein, M., Münzel, M. 2004. Phosphine resistance in the stored product insect pests the rusty grain beetle Crytolestes ferrugineus and the granary weevil Sitophilus granarius. In: Donahaye, E.J., Navarro, S., Bell, C., Jayas, D., Noyes, R., Phillips, T.W. (Eds). Proceedings of the International Conference on Controlled Atmosphere and Fumigation in Stored Products, 613. FTIC Ltd. Publishing, Israel, Gold-Coast, Australia.

Riken Keiki Co, L. 2021. Optical Interferometric Gas Monitor: Model FI-8000. Riken Keiki Co., Ltd. Available at: https://product.rikenkeiki.co.jp/assets/img/products/62/cat/PC3E-0421-250400S_FI-8000.pdf. Accessed on 30 January 2026.

Schneider, B., Voglewede, C., Shodrock, D. 2003. Developing precision fumigation plans using the ProFume Fumiguide. In. 2003 Annual International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions, San Diego, CA.

SGT Service. 2026. Fumiscope. SGT Service (Thailand) Co., Ltd. Available at: https://www.sgtservice.co.th/products/0-5-FUMISCOPE. Accessed on 20 January 2026.

Spectros Instruments. 2022. PM400 phosphine monitor. Spectros Instruments Inc. Available at: https://www.spectrosinstruments.com/prod_pm400.html. Accessed on 14 February 2022.

The Canary Company. 2022. Silo-Chek. The Canary Company Pty. Ltd. Available at: http://www.canaryco.com.au/silo-chek/. Accessed on 14 February 2023.

UNEP. 2026. The Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer. United Nations Environment Programme. Available at: https://ozone.unep.org/treaties/montreal-protocol. Accessed on 7 November 2022.

Uniphos Envirotronic. 2022. FumiTrack Multiport with Expansion Module. Uniphos Envirotronic Pvt. Ltd. Available at: https://uniphos-envirotronic.com/fumigation-monitoring-equipment/phosphine/multi-port-with-expansion-module/. Accessed on 14 February 2022.

Uniphos Envirotronic. 2026. Fumispec Lo. Uniphos Envirotronic Pvt. Ltd. Available at: https://uniphos-envirotronic.com/fumigation-monitoring-equipment/sulphuryl-fluoride/fumispec-lo/. Accessed on 25 February 2026.

Wikimedia Commons contributors. 2020. File:Thermal Conductivity Detector nl.svg. Wikimedia Commons. Available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Thermal_Conductivity_Detector_nl.svg&oldid=498660584. Accessed on 20 February 2026.

Williams, R.E., Prabhakaran, S., Schneider, B.M. 2000. Monitoring for precision fumigant application in food-processing plants. In. 2000 Annual International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions. 6-9 November 2000, Orlando, FL.

Wuensch Sales. 2026. Draeger Accuro pump. Wuensch Sales Company. Available at: https://www.wuenschsales.com/product/draeger-accuro-pump/?srsltid=AfmBOorYz4CwaR1mkZoLv2dI5tBwfWkp28IAtWEVm62CH5JjyYjgye5X. Accessed on 20 February 2026.