Understanding Rice Husk As A Biomass Fuel EN V1 2013.9.4

Clean energy, natural solutions
Understanding rice husk

as a biomass fuel
Rice husk as a biomass fuel
Rice husk is a by-product of rice growing. The prevalence and year-round production of rice crops on both
an industrial and small scale means that rice husks are an attractive biomass fuel because they are not only
readily available in large quantities but are also easy to collect. Furthermore, combusting the husk solves
the problem of waste husk disposal. Husk-based power plants have the potential to be not only viable, but
highly profitable, provided that the fuel properties are well understood and that the fuel is combusted
using equipment which is specifically designed, and therefore enables cost effective exploitation.
Origins of rice husk as a fuel
Rice husk has been used as a fuel to provide power for more than 100 years. The first recorded use of rice
husk as an energy source was in 1889, in Myanmar. In the late 20th century rice husk’s potential as a fuel
was recognized around the world, particularly in developing countries. In 1971, UNFAO stated that rice
husk would become a key fuel resource in the foreseeable future. However, small scale rice husk boilers
were never properly commercialized until recently due to immature combustion technology which could
address the specific needs of rice husk combustion. Today, rice husk, if properly combusted, is one of the
most successful and profitable renewable energy sources available.
Rice husk in Asia
Asia produces the vast majority of global rice at around 770 million tons annually. 20% of the rice weight
can be attributed to the husk or hull which is not consumed and often disposed of. This equates to 150
million tons of biomass fuel annually. Put into context, this could, for example, potentially add 22 GW of
renewable installed capacity to Asia’s energy mix.
Some of the top producers are illustrated below:
Image cannot be reproduced without permission of DP CleanTech

Rice husk ash
An additional benefit of using rice husk as a biomass fuel is from the ash after the rice husk has been
combusted. The Rice Husk Ash (abbreviated to RHA), is particularly high in silica (Si). Silica is an important
raw material for many purposes, and RHA is therefore becoming increasingly valuable. Some of the uses of
Silica are identified below:
• Aggregates and fillers for concrete and board production.
• Economical substitute for microsilica / silica fumes
• Absorbents for oils and chemicals
• Soil ameliorants
• Source of silicon
• Insulation powder in steel mills
• Repellents in the form of "vinegar-tar"
• Release agent in the ceramics industry
• Insulation material for homes and refrigerants
How does rice husk fare under combustion, and what are the
key challenges?
Combustion: Rice husk has a very favourable chemical

composition
Compared to many other biomass fuels - particularly the more herbaceous biomass fuels such as rice straw
- rice husk causes relatively low amount of corrosion, fouling and sintering. It is therefore a comparatively
unproblematic fuel.
The composition of the RHA and the reactions that can take place in the combustion chamber and on
boiler tubes are major contributory factors to the level of sintering, slagging, fouling and corrosion. It is
therefore very important that ash elemental analysis; a good knowledge of ash composition, and the
impact these have on the boiler at high temperatures and pressures are taken into account in the initial
boiler design.
The most influential chemical components of ash which affect the ash fusion temperature are silicon
dioxide (SiO2), potassium oxide (K2O), sodium oxide (Na2O) and calcium oxide (CaO). The following graph
taken from DP Biomass Lab demonstrates how this can differ depending on region and rice variety.
Blue: Rice Husk - Pakistan

Red: Rice Straw - India
• Rice husk typically has ash contents from 15–25 w-% in dry solids, which is higher than many other
biomass fuels.
• Rice husk can be characterized as a biomass rich in Si, but poor in Ca, K. The analysis indicates SiO2
of over 75%, but it can, in many cases contain over 90%, making it very different from the straws of other
cereals and even rice straw ash. As identified earlier, this is a valuable raw material suited to many industrial
purposes.
• Potassium and calcium contents in rice husk ashes are low compared to rice straw, containing up
to 15% K2O and 3.5% CaO.
Other factors
Due to the exceptional ash composition detailed above, the ash melting temperatures of rice husk are very
high, about 1500 ºC, which means that rice husk is relatively unproblematic in terms of fouling, sintering
and slagging. Furthermore, chlorine content in rice husk is relatively low, commonly below 0.1 w-%. In rice
straws, the chlorine content can be as high as 0.7 w-%. This means rice husk has a relatively low corrosion
value compared to rice straws.
Physical challenges
The main challenge with rice husk is less about its chemical composition and more about its physical
composition. The hard SiO2 -based structure of rice husk remains during the ashing process, and has a
slightly erosive effect due to its large particle size and sharp edges. This creates a “sand blast” effect in the
boiler. To combat this, DP uses special materials around the boiler walls and superheaters in order to resist
this erosive force and maintain the performance of the plant over long time periods. DP also uses special
techniques to reduce the fly ash amount and reduce the flue gas velocity to below 10m/s, this diminishes
the erosive impact, while still maintaining high efficiency.
Beneﬁts of using DP CleanTech High Pressure High

Temperature technology
High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) technology yields higher steam parameters and therefore greater
efficiency than conventional Medium Pressure Medium Temperature (MPMT) systems. This means a HTHP
plant will require less fuel to achieve the same level of electrical and thermal output, which therefore saves
on fuel cost.
The following example demonstrates the benefits of using HTHP technology when combusting rice husk
biomass. The example takes into consideration the price of rice husk; the physical properties and the
performance data using HTHP.
In many countries in Asia where the biomass industry is still fairly under-developed, rice husk prices tend to
start off very low (less than US$20 per ton) and rise incrementally as the market becomes better established
and demand increases. Prices will then tend to stabilize at around US$40 or US$50 per ton as this is the
point at which profitability in biomass reaches its inflexion point.
Source: Asian Institute of Technology 2011

The graph above shows the price of rice husk delivered to a plant in Pichit Province, Thailand. It can be seen
that the price started to stabilize from 2008, at around 900 Baht (US$30) per ton.
Below is a typical fuel analysis for rice husk, which changes little in different regions.
ITEM UNIT DESIGN
Carbon % 34.773
Hydrogen % 4.530
Oxygen % 30.436
Nitrogen % 0.386
Sulphur % 0.068
Ash % 14.807
Moisture % 15.000
LHV kJ/kg 12655
Source: Biomass Lab, DP CleanTech

Based on the Rice husk fuel analysis we are able to determine some key performance data for a 40 t/h
(10MWe) HPHT design and 40t/h (10MWe) MPMT design. Their parameters are 92bar(g) 540°C and 65bar(g)
485°C, respectively.
ITEM UNIT HTHP MPMT
Main Steam Flow t/h 40 40

Main Steam Temp. ℃ 540 485
Main Steam Pressure bar 92 65
Feed Water Temp. ℃ 220 130
Fuel Consumption (FC) t/h 9.01 10.05
Qty. of fly ash t/h 0.56 0.63
Qty. of slag t/h 0.84 0.94
The increased steam parameters of the HTHP system results in improved boiler efficiency, and therefore
requires less fuel to achieve the same level of thermal output. Based on annual consumption (operating at
7800 hours per annum) HPHT technology would result in a fuel consumption saving of around 8112 tons
per year. Assuming an average fuel price of USD20/ton, this would result in a saving of USD162,240 per
annum. If calculating at a peak fuel price of USD50/ton, this would result in a saving of USD405,600 per
annum. See chart below
There is of course an additional capital cost when installing HPHT systems. However based on the above
calculations in a mature rice husk market, the additional cost for a superior HTHP system will pay for itself
within 3 years.
Would you like to learn about the combustion potential for

your fuel?
DP CleanTech’s ‘BiomassLab’ is an interactive online biomass fuel database, that helps our customers
search, analyze and compare biomass fuels from all over the world. The database generates key
information about biomass fuels and indicates their properties under combustion and their effectiveness
as a fuel. If you have a potential biomass project, anywhere in the world, understanding the fuel is crucial;
‘BiomassLab’ is therefore a good place to start. Find ‘Biomass Lab’ on our website:
http://www.dpcleantech.com/biomasslab/the-biomass-lab
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Clean energy, natural solutions

Understanding rice husk

Rice husk as a biomass fuel

Origins of rice husk as a fuel

Rice husk in Asia

Image cannot be reproduced without permission of DP CleanTech

Combustion: Rice husk has a very favourable chemical

Image cannot be reproduced without permission of DP CleanTech

Blue: Rice Husk - Pakistan

Beneﬁts of using DP CleanTech High Pressure High

Image cannot be reproduced without permission of DP CleanTech

Source: Asian Institute of Technology 2011

ITEM UNIT DESIGN

Source: Biomass Lab, DP CleanTech

ITEM UNIT HTHP MPMT

Main Steam Flow t/h 40 40

Image cannot be reproduced without permission of DP CleanTech

Would you like to learn about the combustion potential for

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