A techno-economic analysis of a sustainable alternative to traditional grain storage methods: atmospheric cold plasma

Abstract This study examined the operational and economic aspects of rice drying and storage practices, focusing on the effectiveness of fumigation methods. Based on three case studies of two rice drying and storage companies of different sizes and a milling company, the study explores the economic viability of utilizing an emerging and sustainable pest control treatment technology—atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) fumigation chamber to the Weevil-Cide (Aluminum Phosphide Pellets) fumigant currently used by many agribusiness facilities and companies. The study employs a capital budgeting approach to evaluate economic feasibility and an input–output model to determine the broader economic impact. The findings revealed that the ACP chamber is more cost-effective for mills rather than drying and storage companies, suggesting that profitability in rice drying and storage is closely tied to the volume processed and stored, and the stage in the production chain. The investment in the novel technology was found to have a significant economic impact on the U.S. economy.