International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)

ISSN (Online): 2319-7064

Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391

Conversion of Rice Husks into an Energy Source

through Gasification Technology
Onchoke Ismail1*, Mutwiwa Urbanus2, Hunja Murage3, Ochieng Francis4
1, 4
IEET, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. P.O. Box 62000 – 00200, Nairobi. Kenya
2, 3
BEED, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. P.O. Box 62000 – 00200, Nairobi. Kenya

Abstract: Kenya generates about 20 metric tonnes of rice husks which currently presents a burden to the environment in its disposal.
Disposal usually is by burning or used to fill potholes or thrown by the roadside. With the foregoing, positive utilization of the rice husks
in a gasifier stove as a fuel energy source will present a cheap, environment friendly and renewal alternative. The rice husks properties
were determined from samples collected from Mwea rice mills (MRM). A gasifier stove to suit the fuel properties and the energy needs of
a family of six in Mwea was then developed using locally available materials. Performance of the stove was tested using Water Boiling
Test (WBT) and Controlled Cooking Test (CCT). The results of one-way analysis of variance at 5% level of significanceshows no
significant difference in moisture content of fresh rice husks samples (p>0.05) while there is a significant difference in the bulk density
(p<0.05). The gasifier stove performance and operating conditions was good with a thermal efficiency of 25.67%, Specific fuel
consumption of 121g/liter and cooking time of 22mins. The resulting char has a calorific value of 7810kJ/Kg which can be used to make
energy briquettes, as a propagation media for rice or as a soil additive.

Keywords: Biomass, Carbonization, Gasifier stove, Rice husks

1. Introduction the traditional bottom-lit downdraft type, cross-draft type, or

updraft-type reactors [5]. Of the different types of reactor,
1.1 Current sources and status of energy consumption the T-LUD/IDD Gasification has better operating
in Kenya characteristics in terms of ease of starting the fuel, least
smoke emitted, and tar produced during operation [6].
Nationally wood fuel and other biomass account for 68% of
the total primary energy consumption followed by petroleum 2. Materials and Methods
at 22%, electricity at 9% and others at about 1% [1]. Upto
90% of the energy needs of rural households is from To develop and evaluate the gasifier stove for rice husks,
biomass energy that is firewood, charcoal and agricultural field visits, fabrication and tests were carried out in
wastes of which a third is in the form of firewood [2]. This Biomechanical and Environmental Engineering Department
state of affairs has major adverse implications to the forest of the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and
resources and on people’s health resulting from indoor air Technology and Mwea. The tests involved determining the
pollution hence unsustainable. Many of the developing characteristics of the rice husks and biomass stove
countries produce huge quantities of agricultural waste with performance.
the major once being rice husk, coffee husk, coir pith, jute
sticks, bagasse, groundnut shells, mustard stalks and cotton 2.1 Characteristics and Availability of the rice husks
stalks. Sawdust, a milling residue is also available in huge
quantity. 2.1.1 Determination of moisture content
Rice husks from freshly milled paddy rice were collected
1.2 Gasification from Mwea Rice Mills (MRM) in Mwea. The rice husks
were transported to JKUAT and moisture content
Gasification is the process of converting biomass into a determined using the oven dry method [7].
combustible gas by thermo-chemical reaction of the oxygen
in the air and the carbon available in these materials during 2.1.2 Measurement of bulk density
combustion [3]. In complete combustion of fuel, the process For meaningful results it was necessary to select a
takes place in excess air. In gasification process, on the other representative sample of the particulate solid with respect to
hand, it is accomplished with excess carbon. In order to moisture content, particle-size distribution and temperature.
gasify rice husks about 30 – 40% of the stoichiometric air For the tests fresh rice husks sample for each individual test
(4.7kg of air per kg of rice husk) is needed [4]. specimen and size sample of approximately 100g was used.

1.3 Gasifier Stove 2.1.3 Measurement of Ash content

Standard method (ASTM E1755-010) for determination of
The operating performance of the rice husk gasifier stove Ash in Biomass was used [8].
basically depends on the type of the reactor used. Although
there are several types of combustor that can be used for rice
husks, the T-LUD or IDD under the down-draft type gasifier
was proven to work well with rice husk as compared with

Volume 5 Issue 9, September 2016

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Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY
Paper ID: ART20161814 DOI: 10.21275/ART20161814 1264
 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391
2.1.4 Rice Husks Quantities 2.2.1.2 Cross-sectional Area and Height of the Reactor
Useful in determining sustainability and energy contribution Circular rather than rectangular or square cross section
potential of the rice husks in the Mwea region. Total rice ensures uniform gasification. Height of the reactor affect
production was obtained and total rice husks calculated. operation time and gas amount produced. Usually the
combustion zone moves down the entire height of the
2.2 Development and testing of gasifier stove gasifier reactor at a speed of 1-2cm/min. However the higher
the reactor the more pressure required to overcome
Gasification of rice husks is accomplished in an air sealed resistance. Diameter is a function of the amount of the fuel
chamber. Limited amount of air is introduced by a fan into consumption rate (FCR) to the specific gasification rate
the fuel column to convert the rice husks into carbon-rich (SGR) of rice husks which is in the range of 110 - 210
char so that by thermo-chemical reaction it would produce kg/m2-hr as expressed in equation 3.2
carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane gases, which are 0.5
combustible when ignited. The batch feed, Top-Lit Updraft  1.27FCR 
D  3.2
(T-LUD) also known as Inverted Downdraft (IDD) under the  SGR 
down-draft type gasifier was used in the reactor. Where: D – Diameter of kiln, m
FCR – Fuel consumption rate, Kg/hr
2.2.1 Design Consideration SGR – Specific gasification rate of rice husk, 110 – 210
kg/m2-hr
Important parameters in determining size of gasifier stove
included: Taking a specific gasification rate, SGR of rice husk to be
110kg/m2-hr, the diameter, D is calculated as below.
2.2.1.1 Energy requirement 0.5
 1.27  2 
This was determined based on the type and quantity of food D   
2
or water cooked or boiled and their specific heat energy as  110kg / m  hr 
shown by Table 3.1.
 0.15m
Table 3.1: Energy Requirement for Cooking Food and for
Boiling Water Height determines how long the stove would be operated in
Food Specific Heat Total energy needed one loading of fuel. It’s a function of time required to
(kJ/kg.0C) (kJ/Kg)* operate gasifier (T), specific gasification rate (SGR), and the
Rice 1.76 – 1.84 331.79 density of rice husks (ρrh) as expressed in equation 3.3
Meat 2.01 – 3.89 236.40 SGR  T
Vegetables 3.89 311.71 H 3.3
Water 4.19 301.25  rh
*at 72 °C temperature difference Where: H – Height of the reactor, m
Source:http://www.fao.org/docrep/t0512e/T0512e00.htm#C SGR - specific gasification rate of husks, Kg/m2-hr
ontents ρrh - density of rice husks, Kg/m3

= 1327.16 + 1628.828 + 1205 Taking the SGR to be 100kg/m2-hr, ρrh as 100kg/m3 and
= 4160.988kJ/hr time of operation as 20mins, the height of reactor is found
as:
The energy input from fuel considers the stove efficiency 100kg / m 2  hr  0.33
and heating value of fuel and is given by equation 3.1 below. H
100kg / m 3
Qn
FCR  3.1
HV f  g
 0.33
Where: FCR – Fuel consumption rate, Kg/hr = 0.35metres when rounded
Qn – heat energy requirement, kJ/hr
HVf – heating value of fuel, kJ/kg 2.2.1.3 Time to consume Rice Husks
ξg – Gasifier stove efficiency, % Includes ignition plus time to completely burn all husks in
the reactor and is given by equation 3.4. It’s a factor of rice
Based on the above assumption, the amount of fuel needed husks density, volume of reactor and fuel consumption rate.
per hour for a biomass gasifier stove to be used to cook rice  rh  Vr
and also assume a stove efficiency of 17%. The heating T  3.4
value of fuel of rice husks is 12,552kJ/kg. FCR
Where: T – Time required to consume the rice husks, hr
4160.988kJ / hr Vr – Volume of the reactor, m3
FCR 
12,552kJ / kg  0.17 ρrh – Rice husks density, Kg/m3
FCR – Rate of consumption of rice husk, kg/hr

 1.95kg / hr Assume a 0.15m diameter biomass gasifier stove with a

0.35m high reactor is to be operated at a fuel consumption
= 2kg of biomass per hour (when rounded off)
rate of 2kg/hr. The time required to operate the stove will be,

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Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY
Paper ID: ART20161814 DOI: 10.21275/ART20161814 1265
 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391

 rh  Vr
T
FCR

100kg / m 3    0.0752  0.35


1.5kg / hr

 0.41hrs
= 24.71minutes
2.2.1.4 Amount of air for Gasification
This refers to the rate of flow of air needed to gasify rice
husks. It’s important in determining the size of the fan. This
was determined using the rate of consumption of rice husks,
the stoichiometric air of rice husks, and recommended
equivalence ratio for gasifying rice husks(0.3 - 0.4) as Figure 32.2.1.5: Drawing of the reactor (Dimensions in
expressed in equation 3.5 mm)
  FCR  SA
AFR  3.5
a
Where: AFR – Air flow rate, m3/hr
ε- Equivalence ratio, 0.3 – 0.4
FCR – Rate of consumption of rice husk, Kg/hr
SA – Stoichiometric air of rice husks, 4.5kg of air per kg
rice husks
ρa – Air density, 1.2kg/m3

With a fuel consumption rate, FCR of 100kg/hr, the Air flow

rate is calculated as below
  FCR  SA
AFR 
a
Plate 3.1: Gasifier stove under fabrication

0.3  1.5kg / hr  4.5 2.2.3 Technical evaluation of gasifier stove

 2.2.3.1 Water Boiling Test (WBT)
1.2kg / m 3 The Water Boiling Test (WBT) stove performance test
protocol was initially developed by Volunteers in Technical
Assistance (VITA) and was refined by the University of
 1.688m 3 / hr California-Berkeley in collaboration with Aprovecho
Research Center (ARC) and other stove researchers [9],[10].
2.2.1.5 Insulation of reactor The WBT 4.2.3 and Aprovecho WBT 4.2.3 was used in this
Rice husk ash was used as it’s cheap and effective. study to measure performance.

2.2.2 Fabrication of gasifier stove The following indicators of stove performance of particular
Stainless steel (SS) sheet was used for construction of inner importance to end-users and stove designers were
cylinder of the reactor and Mild steel for outer cylinder and obtained:The fuel consumed (moist), The net change in char,
for the char chamber. Sheet gauge 16 was used for the The mass of water vaporized, Time to boil,The temperature-
desired durability. corrected time to boil, The energy released by the fuel, The
change in energy of the water, The equivalent dry rice husk
For the burner assembly, the outer cylinder is made of MS consumed, Thermal efficiency, Specific fuel consumption,
sheet material with the same gauge as that of the reactor Temperature corrected specific fuel consumption, Firepower
with the inner cylinder which is in direct contact with the
flammable gases made from SS sheet offering good 2.2.3.2 Controlled cooking test
resistance to heat. The pot support and the handle of the Controlled cooking test, CCT is performed in order to
burner assembly including the frame for the char grate and evaluate the performance of a cook stove while actually
the lever are also made of stainless steel material for better cooking food. This test differs from the WBT in the medium
durability. The insulation of the stove is made of rice husk through which the heat is transferred. In contrast to water in
ash mixed with cement in equal ratios to form a good the WBT, food is used as a medium in CCT.
insulating material due to its high silica content. A d.c. fan
operated with 6v battery was used to provide the air needed The following indicators of stove performance are calculated
for gasification. from the measurements done; Total weight of food cooked,
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Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY
Paper ID: ART20161814 DOI: 10.21275/ART20161814 1266
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ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391
Weight of char remaining, Equivalent dry wood consumed, The summary of the physical and thermal properties of the
Specific fuel, Total cooking time obtained from samples from Mwea is as summarized in table
4.11.
3. Results and Discussions
Table 4.1: Summary of physical and thermal properties of
3.1 Characteristics and Availability of the rice husks Rice husks
Parameter Measurement
3.1.1 Moisture content Diameter (cm) 0.24cm
The different samples from the mills collected gave moisture Length (cm) 0.95cm
Bulk density (kg/m3) 109
content as shown in Table 3.3
Moisture content (% wb) 11%
Ash content (% db) 20%
Table 3.3: Rice husk moisture content from different Calorific value (kJ/kg) 13,250
samples in Mwea
Sample Moisture Content On
Dry Basis (% db)
3.1.3 Rice husks quantities in Mwea
Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 Mean p-value The total paddy rice quantities handled by the millers is
1 Sample 1 12.30% 11.30% 11.50% 11.70% 0.842 50,476 tonnes [11] (KNBS, 2013) hence giving a rice husk
2 Sample 2 11.80% 12.00% 12.10% 11.87% production of 10,095.2tonnes (Taking a 20% rice husk
3 Sample 3 12.00% 11.50% 11.80% 11.77% production per kilogram paddy rice). This translates to an
The mean moisture content was found as 11% on wet basis. energy resource of 1.439X108 MJ per annum in Mwea from
There is no significant difference in the moisture content of the rice husks.
the samples as shown in table 3.3 (p>0.05).
3.2 Development and testing of gasifier stove
3.1.2 Bulk density
The selected fresh rice husk representative sample gave the 3.2.1 Energy requirement and gasifier properties
following results as shown in Table 3.4. From the calculations the following is a summary of the
gasifier stove data shown in table 4.14
Table 3.4: Rice husk bulk densityfrom different samples
and p-value in Mwea Table 4.14: Summary of the designed gasifier stove
Sample Test 1ρ Test 2ρ Test 3ρ p-value properties
Sample 1 114.94 115.38 114.4 0.00 Parameter Specifications
Sample 2 110.00 110.33 109.67 Energy requirement design 4160.988kJ/hr
Sample 3 102.05 102.04 101.94 Reactor Inner diameter 0.150metres
Mean ρfor the three samples 108.97 Reactor Outer diameter 0.200metres
Bulk density, ρ in Kg/m3 Height 0.350metres
Cross sectional area 0.018m2
There is a significant difference in the bulk density (p<0.05)
Insulation material Rice husk ash and cement in equal ratios
as shown in table 3.4. Inner cylinder material Stainless steel(S/S) Gauge 16
Outer cylinder material Mildsteel (MS) Gauge 16
Fan 12 V Dc Fan

3.2.2 Technical evaluation of gasifier stove

3.2.2.1 Water boiling test

The results of the water boiling test are as tabulated in table
4.14.

Table 4.2: Water boiling test calculations

Parameter Stage Results
Cold Hot Simmering
start start
Fuel consumed (g) - fcm 284g 284g 416g
Figure 4.2.2.3.2: Graph showing comparison of bulk Net change in char (g)- 59g 59g 118g
density of rice husks from three different samples Mass of water vaporized (kg) - wcv 59g 58g 168g
Temperature corrected time to boil 7 8 -
The bulk density of the rice husks ranges from 102kg/m3 to (mins)
114.42kg/m3. The varying bulk densities reflects the Burning rate (g/min) 19.4 16.7 6.3
Equivalent dry rice husk consumed 117.00 116.59 101.26
different rice varieties grown and milling machine
(g)
efficiencies in Mwea. On the general, the very low bulk Thermal efficiency (%) 25.69 25.69 29.36
densities of rice husks makes it expensive to transport Specific fuel consumption (g/liter) 121 121 126
making it suitable for use at or close to the rice mill. Temperature corrected – SC (g/liter) 147.69 147.61
Temp-corrected specific energy cons. 1951 1950 1682
Firepower (Watts) 4260.90 3842 1319

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Paper ID: ART20161814 DOI: 10.21275/ART20161814 1267
 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391
Waste paper was used to light the stove from the top. Time [4] Kaupp, A. (1984). Gasification of Rice Hull: Theory
to start up was measured beginning when the rice husks is and Practice. 303.
ignited to when a producer gas is ignited. Start-up time for [5] Sengratry Kythavone. (2005). NUOL Gasification
the stove is found to be 50sec with paper weight used 2.5g. Chapter VI, Promotion of the Efficient Use of
Burning Rate which is a measure of the average grams of Renewable Energies in Developing Countries, EIE-06-
rice husk burned per minute during the test was 19.4g/min 256 REEPRO.
and 16.7g/min during cold start and high start respectively. [6] Anderson, P., & Reed, T. (2004). Biomass Gasification:
Firepower which is a measure of how quickly fuel was Clean Residential Stoves,Commercial Power
burning, reported in Watts (Joules per second) was Generation, and Global Impacts. LAMNET Project.
4260.90watts and 3842watts during cold and hot start International Workshop on "Bioenergy for a
respectively. It is affected by both the stove (size of fuel Sustainable Development". Vin Del Mar, Chile.
entrance/combustion chamber) and user operation (rate of [7] Amar, K.M., M. Manjusri and T.D. Lawrence (2005).
fuel feeding). Natural Fibers, Biopolymers, and Bio-composites. CRC
Press, Tailor & Francis.
3.2.2.2 Controlled cooking test [8] ASTM E1755-01 “Standard Method for the
From the data obtained during the controlled cooking test Determination of Ash in Biomass" In 2003 Annual
and formulas above and in comparison with the CCT excel Book of ASTM Standards, Volume 11.05.Philadelphia,
data calculation sheet 2.0 the following results were PA: American Society for Testing and Materials,
obtained: International.
[9] Volunteers in Technical Assistance. (1985). Testing the
Table 4.3: Controlled cooking test calculations efficiency of Wood-burning Cook stoves: International
Parameter Results Standards. ISBN 0-86619-229-8. Arlington, Virginia.
Total weight of cooked food (wf) - g 1711 [10] Bailis R, Ogle D, Still D, Smith KR, Edwards R (2009).
Weight of char remaining (∆Cc) - g 410 The Water Boiling Test (WBT), Version 4.1.2.
Equivalent dry wood consumed (fd) - g 117 Berkeley, California; University of California-Berkeley.
Specific fuel consumption (SC) – g/liter 121 [11] Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (2013). Housing
Total cooking time (∆t) - mins 22 Survey Report 2012-2013, KNBS, Nairobi: Government
printer.
3.3 Conclusion

1) Rice husks from the mills was found to have suitable

moisture content for use in the stove thus requiring no
further drying. Higher density rice husks were found to
have more starting time compared to lower density ones
but produced a bluer flame.
2) The gasifier stove required artificial air supply for proper
gasification of rice husks to occur. The gasifier stove
development gave a thermal efficiency of 25.67%,
running time of 22mins with specific fuel consumption
of 121g/liter. This is sufficient to cook a simple meal for
a family of average six (6) members.

4. Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Mwea Rice Mills for providing the Rice
husks for the study and the Inter Universities Council of East
Africa (IUCEA) for the funding through the VicRes Mara
Project.

References
[1] Government of Kenya. (2004). Sessional paper No. 4 on
energy. Nairobi: Government Printer.
[2] Energy for Sustainable Development Africa (ESDA)
(2005). National Charcoal Survey: Exploring the
potential for a sustainable charcoal industry in Kenya. A
product of the Kenya Charcoal Working Group. June
2005. P. 74.
[3] Jameel, H., Keshwani, D., Carter, S., and Treasure, T.
(2010). Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass to
Power and Fuels’. Biomass to Renewable Energy
Processes. Cheng, J. (ed), CRC Press, Florida, ss. 447-
487.
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