---
title: "Sputnik system: thermal disinfection of livestock… | Clima Line"
description: "The Sputnik system disinfects livestock trailers with hot air at 75 °C for 15 minutes. We explain why it beats chemical washing against ASF in any weather."
url: "https://clima-line.pl/en/sputnik-system-innovative-thermal-disinfection-of-trailers-against-asf-virus-clima-line-case-study/"
lang: en
source: Clima Line, clima-line.pl
---

Case study / ARTICLE

# Sputnik system: thermal disinfection of livestock trailers against ASF (case study)

## Sputnik System: Thermal Disinfection of Livestock Trailers in the Fight Against ASF Virus

How Clima Line designed and implemented an innovative biosecurity system that eliminates African Swine Fever virus using heat treatment powered by biogas energy.

## The Challenge: ASF Virus Threat in Livestock Transport

African Swine Fever (ASF) is one of the most dangerous infectious diseases affecting swine, causing enormous economic losses in the livestock sector. **The ASF virus is extremely resilient**, it can survive for months in the external environment, on metal surfaces, in soil, and in meat products. Live animal transport is a critical vector for virus transmission between farms.

Traditional trailer disinfection methods (chemical and mechanical) have significant limitations:

- Cannot guarantee complete virus elimination from hard-to-reach areas
- Require large quantities of chemicals, generating costs and environmental burden
- Drying and ventilation time extends the transport cycle
- Effectiveness depends on operator precision and weather conditions

## The Solution: Sputnik System. Thermal Disinfection at 75 degrees C

**Clima Line** designed and built the innovative **Sputnik** system utilizing **thermal disinfection** as the primary method for eliminating ASF virus from livestock transport trailers.

Key components of the Sputnik system:

- **Water heater unit**: generates hot air up to 75 degrees C, ensuring complete ASF virus elimination
- **Biogas powered**: connected to the agricultural biogas plant operating at the pig farm, providing ecological and economical heat source
- **Air circulation system**: forces uniform hot air flow inside the trailer, reaching every corner
- **Automation and monitoring**: temperature sensors control conditions in real-time

### Technical Parameters of the Disinfection Process

| Target temperature | 75 degrees C |
| --- | --- |
| Exposure time | 15 minutes |
| Heat source | Water heater powered by biogas |
| ASF elimination rate | 99.99% |
| Full cycle time | approx. 30-45 minutes (heating + exposure) |

## How Does ASF Thermal Disinfection Work?

The ASF virus is sensitive to high temperatures. Scientific research confirms that **exposure to 60 degrees C for 30 minutes** or **70 degrees C for 15 minutes** effectively inactivates the virus. The Sputnik system operates at **75 degrees C**, providing a safety margin.

1. The trailer parks in the designated disinfection zone
2. The Sputnik system is connected to the trailer
3. The water heater (powered by farm biogas) generates hot air
4. Air at 75 degrees C is forced into the trailer interior
5. Circulation ensures uniform temperature distribution in all corners
6. After 15 minutes of exposure, the ASF virus is completely neutralized

## Advantages of Sputnik vs. Traditional Methods

#### Ecology

Zero chemicals: heat only. No chemical waste or wastewater from the disinfection process.

#### Economy

Biogas from the farm eliminates fuel and chemical costs. ROI within 2 years.

#### Effectiveness

75 degrees C reaches every corner, unlike chemical spray which misses hard-to-reach areas.

#### Speed

Full cycle takes 30-45 minutes. Trailer is ready for reuse immediately after completion.

## About Clima Line

**Clima Line** is a Polish engineering company in designing and executing advanced HVAC systems. We specialize in solutions for demanding industrial environments:

- Clean Rooms (ISO 7)
- Industrial ventilation systems (production halls, paint lines)
- HVAC for the medical sector (blood donation centres)
- Biosecurity systems (ASF thermal disinfection)

See our projects: [View Clima Line portfolio](https://clima-line.pl/en/projects/)

## Summary

The Sputnik system by Clima Line represents a breakthrough approach to biosecurity in livestock transport. By combining **thermal disinfection** with **renewable biogas energy**, the system offers an effective, ecological, and economical solution for combating ASF virus.

### Interested in the Sputnik System?

Contact us to discuss implementing thermal disinfection at your farm.

An article from the Clima Line archive. Data and references reflect the content as published on the date shown.

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