Use of delta-d technology to prevent paddy straw burning and to produce paddy straw powder in the paddy field which can be used as organic fertiliser and a low cost, renewable fuel for thermal and electrical power generation

Abstract

Coal is cheap compared to most other fossil fuels. However, the higher emission of CO2 has made coal, one of the major contributors to greenhouse effect, global warming and climate change on earth. Forest cover and agriculture are the main absorption systems that reduce CO2 in the atmosphere by photosynthesis. Sometimes forests are major contributors of CO2 to the atmosphere due to sporadic bushfires around the world. Agriculture, on the other hand, absorbs CO2, produces food, creates employment, and maintains a healthy, sustainable and safe eco system which never causes bush fires. Sri Lanka’s major food crop is paddy, and the annual production is more than 3.5 million MT. Paddy straw (PS) is the major by-product and its annual production is more than 5 million MT. Presently, paddy is harvested by combined harvesters and after the harvest, straw stubble and cut pieces are scattered in the paddy field. Since PS is a major hindrance to field preparation for the next crop, with minimum turnaround time, most of the farmers burn PS, which causes atmospheric pollution due to emission of, heat, CO, CO2, SOx, NOx, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), and particulate matter. Delta-D Technology is a patented technology, invented by the author of this paper. By using Delta-D Technology all types of organic waste can be rapidly digested and converted into powder. This paper discusses research carried out by the author, to convert large quantities of PS, lying in the paddy field, into a paddy straw powder (PSP). PSP can be easily combusted in a furnace or a boiler by spraying into the combustion zone