Utilization of locally available binders for densification of rice husk for biofuel production

Sustainability of rice processing depends to a large extent on the utilization of waste by–products generated during the process as biofuel feedstock, biomaterial feedstock or animal feed. Rice husk is an abundant by–product of rice processing that is dumped within the rice processing communities with negative environmental effects. Densification of rice husk into pellets and briquettes using available binders from trees used as firewood, and other agricultural wastes will make it an effective biofuel feedstock that will increase sustainability of rice production. In this study, three locally available binders (Afzelia africana aril, de–oiled A. africana aril, and groundnut shell) were chemically and physically characterize; and their effectiveness as binders for production of densified rice husk briquettes for biofuel production were studied. The study showed that binder chemical properties affect the permeability and density of the densified rice husk briquettes. Keyword: rice husk, sustainability, biofuel, densification, Afzelia Africana aril, groundnut shell.