Mist cannons for COVID disinfection
Salma, S.L.U. provides the Army with high-powered cannons for the disinfection of roads
(Excerpt from the article published in the newspaper La Nueva España)
The company Salma has made available to the Spanish Army a set of high-powered mist cannons for the disinfection of streets and facilities.
Members of the “Príncipe” Regiment, based at the Cabo Noval military barracks, visited the SIA Copper industrial estate in Lugones (Siero), headquarters of the Irimac & Salma Group, to learn about the operation of the equipment, which was later transferred to the Asturian military base. The Irimac & Salma Group is behind this initiative.
The droplets have an average size of 70 microns, and the cannon has a reach of up to 50 meters. In addition to dust control, it can also be used for sanitation purposes by adding disinfectant to the water. “The spraying is very uniform because the droplets are extremely fine, and it covers a large surface area since the cannon has a wide reach. Moreover, water consumption is significantly lower than with conventional irrigation systems,” explains Fernández.
A commanding officer from the “Príncipe” Regiment showed interest in the technology, which led to an invitation to visit the facilities and test it firsthand.
On Friday, March 27, 2020, a group of military personnel visited the company’s premises, where they tested the cannons, which were mounted on an Army truck. “We carried out some tests, they were satisfied, and we integrated all the equipment into the truck they brought.” The cannons were connected to the water tank, where a disinfectant product would be added, and powered by a generator supplying the motors. The military personnel received on-site training on operation and commissioning, and one unit was taken already installed on the truck.
Additionally, Fernández’s group made available another product: a fixed platform through which trucks pass and are disinfected on the underside, sides, and top. “It’s a very useful system in situations like this, although it hadn’t been given much importance until now,” Fernández noted.
This technology can be used to disinfect streets, as well as areas surrounding hospitals, healthcare centers, and nursing homes.