Abstract
To control Australia's major storage pests, nitrogen-rich gas conditioning technology was developed as an adjunct to fumigants. However, cost issues have always hampered its promotion and application in the industry. This study used the advanced membrane separation technology of China's Changshun Anda Company to compare performance with traditional nitrogen production technology (pressure swing adsorption/PSA), and conducted real warehouse application experiments at the CBH Grain Port in Kwinana, Western Australia to address operational and cost issues that hinder its promotion. To meet Australia's strict standard operating conditions, Changshun Anda's professional team upgraded the port equipment, with the target disinfection cost set at A$0.50/ton of grain (the high-end fumigation cost of phosphine). The study showed that the operating cost of the old PSA technology was A$2.43/ton of grain, and the technology also showed operational limitations in producing and maintaining the 99% nitrogen concentration level required to control pests. In contrast, the cost of nitrogen production using membrane technology is A$0.99/ton of grain, and other performance gains include the required nitrogen concentration being produced within 4.5 days of operation and being maintained for 14 days to completely control pests.