Preserving Artworks with VELOXY®: Anoxic Treatment at Venice’s Accademia Galleries

At the Gallerie dell’Accademia Museum in Venice, RGI performed an anoxic pest control treatment on canvas paintings. This is a scientific technique used in cultural heritage conservation to eliminate pests from organic materials while preserving the integrity of the artworks.

The intervention was carried out using the VELOXY® System with the creation of an anoxic enclosure with an effective volume of 38 m³, designed to accommodate artworks positioned on a movable trolley.

Preparation of the paintings for anoxic treatment

In the initial phase, restorers appointed by the Gallerie dell’Accademia prepared a dedicated support structure suitable for positioning the paintings on a movable trolley. Subsequently, the artworks were transferred from the exhibition hall to the trolley, where they were arranged to allow for treatment operations.

Installation of the anoxic enclosure

RGI technicians then prepared the treatment area. During this phase, the floor surface was thoroughly cleaned to remove any debris that could compromise the integrity of the multilayer gas-barrier film used to create the anoxic enclosure. Furthermore, to provide additional protection, the floor was properly insulated with specific protective materials, such as corrugated cardboard layers and rubber sheets. These were designed to evenly distribute the weight of the trolley and preserve the integrity of the film throughout the entire intervention.

Once the area was secured, RGI technicians installed the enclosure around the artworks and set up the environmental monitoring devices.

Nitrogen injection and achieving anoxia

After completing the setup, the gas-barrier film was sealed, making the enclosure completely airtight and enabling the activation of the VELOXY® System for controlled nitrogen injection. Once activated, the system operated continuously (24/7) for approximately 8 days until anoxic conditions were achieved, with a residual oxygen level of ≤ 0.2%.

Maintenance of anoxic conditions and environmental monitoring

After reaching the required anoxic level, the VELOXY® System was deactivated while internal conditions remained stable for 22 consecutive days. This duration represents the minimum exposure time required to eliminate wood-boring insects at all life stages (eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults)

During this phase:

• The residual oxygen percentage remained ≤ 0.2%;

• Relative humidity remained stable between 54% and 60%;

• Internal temperature never dropped below the minimum threshold of 20°C.

Thanks to the devices installed inside the enclosure (e.g., OX-05 oxygen analyzer), the VELOXY® System was configured for continuous monitoring of environmental parameters, with an automatic restart function in case of deviations from the preset values.

Results and benefits of anoxic pest control for Museums

At the end of the treatment, RGI technicians dismantled the setup, restoring the space for routine museum activities. Anoxic pest control is currently one of the most effective and non-invasive methodologies for heritage preservation, ensuring the eradication of pests in organic materials while fully safeguarding the artworks’ condition.