Author(s) :

Shuka, M. E., Yola, I.A..

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

This paper presents the comparative analysis of combustion behavior of rice husk pellets with charcoal. Rice husk was selected because of its abundance and rich crude fiber content which is a good property for pellet production. The rice husk pellets were produced using wet process of densification technology at 0.6 MPa compaction pressure and different binder ratios with tamarind starch and cassava starch as binders. The results of the flame tests have shown that, rice husk pellets with binders have higher flame height of 6-10cm than that of charcoal with 1-2 cm. Emissions test was conducted on the rice husk pellets and charcoal and the toxic gases tested were CO, SO2, NO2 and H2S using portable gas analyzer). The results show that binder ratio have significant effect on the combustion behavior of the rice husk pellets. Results from the emissions tests show that, the rice husk pellets produced with tamarind starch and cassava starch have SO2 (0.3 ppm), H2S (0.2 ppm), CO (0.3 ppm) and NO2 (0.4 ppm) emissions of the harmful gases at 20% binder ratio while charcoal has SO2 (1.2 ppm), H2S (0.1 ppm), CO (4.2 ppm) and NO2 (0.2 ppm ) emissions respectively. Rice husk pellets can be used as a substitute to charcoal considering it’s high temperature and less emission of toxic gases. The tamarind starch can serve as replacement to cassava starch for pellets production because it has exhibited good binding effect and better combustion characteristics.

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