Modelling the carbonization process to develop a cost-effective, smokeless, continuous, down-draft rice husk carbonizer suitable for rice growing regions

Orge, R., McHenry, M.P. and de Leon, R.L. (2013) Modelling the carbonization process to develop a cost-effective, smokeless, continuous, down-draft rice husk carbonizer suitable for rice growing regions. In: Poullikka, A., (ed.) Renewable energy: economics, emerging technologies and global practices. Nova Science Publishers, Hauppauge, New York, pp. 267-280.

Abstract

This work discusses modeling of the operational processes occurring in a small-scale, down-draft, continuous rice husk (40 kg h-1) carbonizer suitable for application in poor rice growing regions. The model was used as a tool to optimize the performance of a constructed carbonizer using material and heat balances. The carbonizer technology operating principles are discussed in terms of four operational “zones” and the possible reactions occurring in each zone. The material balance model was used to determine the amounts of each participating material at each zone, and the energy balance was generated using the material balance solutions. The final output of the model for O2, CO, and CO2 was reconciled with testing performance of the constructed carbonizer. The results suggested that 99.2% (weight basis) of the total CO produced during carbonization was burnt at the ignition chamber zone, resulting in only 0.8% CO emission from the chimney. The energy balance determined there was a high potential for the carbonizer to produce useful heat, for rice farm activities, with flue gasses calculated at 724oC. The material and heat balance models were successfully verified by prototype testing.

Item Type:	Book Chapter
Murdoch Affiliation:	School of Engineering and Information Technology
Publisher:	Nova Science Publishers
Copyright:	© Nova Science Publishers
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/14611

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