Rice husk as an alternate fuel

Abstract

Rice husk generated as a rice processing by-product is an important energy resource. The availability of this resource in India has been assessed and the technologies for exploitation of its energy potential in rice processing industry discussed. This document is the report of the Design of Biomass Gasification System for Power Generation using rice husk as the fuel for a solvent extraction unit. The gasifier is designed based on the mass flow rate of producer gas required for IC engine to replace 80% of diesel for generating a power of 300 kw and the mass flow rate of producer gas is decided based on the total heat liberated by burning 80% of diesel inside the combustion chamber which is equal to the heat liberated by the producer. The non-combustible organic matter in the rice husk is partially removed along with the oil that is extracted in the industry, so the amount of tar present in producer gas is comparatively less. The gasifier is designed throat less in order to maintain uniform pressure in the oxidation and reduction zones. Through this biomass gasification system the company can generate power to meet their own requirement in most economical way.