COMPACT EFFICIENT AND ECONOMIC SOIL STEAM DISINFESTATION

Precision Combustion, Inc. is developing a compact steam generator as the core of a tractor-pulled agricultural soil steaming disinfestation system. Our prototype 550 pound steam generator is sized to disinfest ~1 acre of soil every 12 hours, at costs similar to applications of methyl bromide or other fumigant packages. Our technology offers an economic and practical alternative to fumigant soil disinfestation, offering pathogen/weed removal as effective as now provided by methyl bromide (MB) and more effective than alternative fumigants. MB has been classified as a Class I stratospheric ozone-depleting chemical whose continued use in the U.S. is only prolonged by critical use exemptions. The major exemption has been for the California strawberry industry, whose exceptionally high productivity is due to MB. A tractor-pulled high heat rate steam generator also offers potential for a range of other crops, organic production, and restricted sites that cannot be treated with fumigants.In Phase I we developed the design and demonstrated operation of a lightweight, low pressure catalytic combustor/steam generator. The catalytic combustor operates lean with very low emissions of CO and NOx, measured at & lt;10 ppm each. Advantages include very high heat rate, the ability to use well water, low emissions, and high fuel efficiency due to the direct fire design, wherein the exhaust directly heats the water. In Phase II, PCI will develop, build and field-test a mobile 10 MM BTU/hr agriculture-scale steam generator prototype. Operating variables, including soil temperatures and application rates, will be optimized as functions of soil type and condition, with the impacts on product yields characterized. Economic benefits in the range of $10,000/acre are possible, as compared to untreated fields. We have assembled a capable team of interested major agricultural players who have committed to help our Phase II succeed, as well as provide a path to commercial entry for our technology: