Processing rice husks and peanut shells into biomass pellet fuel is indeed a choice that combines environmental protection and economic value. The resource utilization of such agricultural waste is becoming an important development direction in the field of renewable energy.
1.Raw material characteristics: The resource potential of agricultural waste
(1)Rice husk
Source: A by-product of rice processing, with a large annual output (China has a wide area of rice cultivation and a considerable output of rice husks).
Physical and chemical properties: Carbon content is approximately 35% to 40%, volatile matter is high (about 70%), ash content is relatively low (10% to 20%), calorific value is about 12 to 15MJ/kg, and it has good flammability.
Characteristics: It has a loose texture and high porosity. It is difficult to form alone and needs to be mixed with other raw materials or pre-treated.
(2) Peanut shells
Source: The waste after shelling peanuts, mainly produced in peanut production areas such as Shandong, Henan and Hebei.
Physical and chemical properties: Carbon content approximately 40% to 45%, volatile matter about 80%, low ash content (<5%), calorific value about 15 to 18MJ/kg, stable fiber structure, and better formability than rice husk.
Features: strong toughness, uniform particles after crushing, and when mixed with rice husks, it can optimize the forming performance.
2. Application advantages: Multiple values in environmental protection, economy and energy security
(1)Environmental benefits
Reducing waste pollution: If rice husks and peanut shells are directly burned or piled up, they can easily produce smoke and dust and occupy land. After being processed into pellets, they can be turned from waste into treasure.
Low-carbon emissions: The carbon dioxide released during the combustion of biomass fuel can be absorbed by the growth process of plants, making it a "carbon-neutral" energy source. Compared with coal, it can reduce carbon emissions by approximately 80%.
Low pollutant emissions: The content of heavy metals in ash is extremely low, and the emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in combustion exhaust gas are much lower than those of fossil fuels (no desulfurization and denitrification treatment is required).
(2) Economic benefits
Cost advantage: The raw material cost is low (rice husks and peanut shells are mostly free or low-cost waste processed by processing enterprises), and the processing cost is mainly concentrated in the crushing, drying and granulation stages. The cost of each ton of granules is about 300 to 500 yuan, and the market price can reach 600 to 900 yuan, with a clear profit margin.
It has a wide range of application scenarios: it can replace coal in industrial boilers, heating boilers, biomass power plants, etc., and can also be used as household cooking fuel (especially suitable for rural areas). In some areas, it can also enjoy renewable energy subsidies (such as electricity price subsidies and tax benefits).
(3) Energy Security and Sustainability
Alleviate energy dependence: Reduce the demand for fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas. Especially in regions lacking coal and gas, biomass pellets can serve as a stable alternative energy source.
Promote a circular economy: Drive the development of industrial chains such as agricultural waste recycling, processing and transportation, increase rural employment opportunities, and form a closed loop of "agricultural production - waste utilization - energy supply".
Processing rice husks and peanut shells into biomass pellet fuel is an effective way to solve the problem of agricultural waste treatment and optimize the energy structure, which brings environmental, economic and social benefits. If you plan to engage in this industry, it is recommended that you give priority to researching local raw material supply, policy subsidies and target market demand, and choose an appropriate technical route and scale to achieve sustainable development.