Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
graphical distribution, seasonal distribution and also on the capacity of rice mills.
The basic idea of rice husk as an energy source relates to its thermo-chemical con-
version. Gasification of rice husk to produce a gas has a high potential in India.
The produced gas can be used to generate electricity (15% efficiency) using an in-
ternal combustion engines. Another usage of rice husk would be the generation of
thermal energy (55% efficiency). However it is expected that the efficiencies of
over 40% could be achieved for electricity generation through rice husk gasifica-
tion. Cogeneration of electrical and thermal energy using rice husk may be the
best option for rice processing industries. Cogeneration has been practiced in India
especially in rice mills of higher capacities (>120 t/hr).
In section 3.2 a case study of a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project
based on rice husks is presented. In section 3.3 the results of the case study are
analysed and discussed. The case study compares pre-project and post-project
scenarios. The emission reductions achieved by the project described in the case
study were about 14,744 tonnes of CO
2
equivalent. The project was successfully
registered as a CDM project in year 2006 with a 10 year (2001-2011) crediting pe-
riod. In section 3.4 it is concluded that rice husk has a high potential for use as a
feedstock for electricity production. It performs better than fossil fuels in terms of
environmental emissions and may help mitigate climate change and limit depend-
ence on fossil fuels.
3.2 Case study: Rice-husk Based Cogeneration Clean
Development Mechanism Project
This case study describes a project by Shree Bhawani Paper Mills Limited
(SBPML). In this case study the usage of rice husks will be explained and thor-
oughly researched. The purpose of the project is to supply electrical and thermal
energy to the paper mill. Paper manufacturing is a continuous process requiring
both thermal and electrical energy for the drying of paper and running the dryers
respectively. The purpose of the project activity is to have Combined Heat and
Power (CHP) generation to meet the energy requirements and improve the overall
energy efficiency of the paper mill and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
3.2.1 Pre-project Scenario
The paper mills' thermal energy requirement was supplied with the rice husk fixed
boilers and the electrical demand with Diesel Generators (DG). A maximum
power of 2.4 MW was required to run the paper mill operations. The power re-
quirement was fulfilled by running 3 DG continuously while 2 DG were kept in
stand-by. In total 5 DG each with 1000 kVA were used to run the paper mill. The
rice husk was procured exclusively from rice shellers operating in the Rae Bareli
district and the potential of rice husk from farmers practising manual de-husking
was not realized.
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