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

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

About Clima Line

Clima Line is a Polish engineering company with over 15 years of experience 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

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.