Study on rice straw to be bio-fuel pellets

Abstract

FAO reported in year 2008, world paddy production more than 40 countries and about 60 million tones of rice straw were produced in Thailand. For most farmers use an easy method for land clearing by straw burning in open area. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide(CO2) emissions from paddy field burning to atmosphere is causes of global warming problem. This project aimed to utilize agricultural waste from rice field to be cheap biomass energy was started in 2009 at Nhongjork area. The waste was mixed with molasses and kaolin in ratio of rice straw : molasses : kaolin as 80:10:10 by weights. A size of rice straw fuel pellet was 1.54 cm. diameter and 2 cm. height. The calorific value of the rice straw pellet was tested by using Gallekamp Autobomb instrument by ASTM(American Society of Testing and Materials) standard. The results of testing found : CO2 emission from rice straw fuel pellets as half of burning in open area (by weight). Cost of energy for cooking by using Bio-fuel pellets only 7 Baht( 0.25 US $) and half price by comparing with LPG. The useful of rice straw Bio-fuel pellet is one of a cheap biomass energy for household and small manufacturers.