The steps to use paddy husk gasification for Rural Electrification

The energy cost now strongly depends on the prices of fossil fuels due to the world's intense fuel dependence on energy production. This is causing pain in most of the world's nations, and Sri Lanka is no different. From this perspective, the promotion of biomass as a source of renewable energy is significant to the country. Given that rice is the nation's leading food and the crop with the most considerable area under cultivation, it has been discovered that the rice husk (RH) produced during paddy processing has a significant potential for producing electricity.

Paddy husk gasification is a process that can be used to generate electricity from agricultural waste, specifically the husks of rice. The process involves heating the husks in a gasifier, which breaks down the biomass into a gas that can power an engine or a turbine to generate electricity.

The Husk Power Systems (HPS) and Decentralized Energy Systems India (DESI), two businesses that have successfully offered power access utilizing this resource, have popularized rice husk-based electricity generation and supply throughout South Asia. To examine the factors that make a small-scale rural power supply company profitable and determine whether a collection of villages can be electrified using a larger facility. Using a financial analysis of alternative supply alternatives that consider the residential and commercial electricity demands under various scenarios, Serving just consumers with low electricity usage results in the electricity-producing facility only being used to part of its capacity, which raises the cost of supply. Increased electricity use improves financial viability and considerably helps high-consumption clients. The feasibility and levelized cost of the collection are enhanced by integrating rice mill demand, especially during the off-peak period, with a predominant residential peak demand system. Finally, larger plants significantly reduce costs to provide a competitive supply. However, the more critical investment requirement, risks associated with the rice mill's monopoly supply of husk, organizational challenges related to managing a more extensive distribution area, and the possibility of plant failure could negatively impact investor interest.

 

Here are the steps to use paddy husk gasification for rural electrification:

 

Assess the availability of paddy husk: The first step is to determine the amount of paddy husk available in the rural area. This will help to determine the size of the gasification system that will be needed.

Choose the gasification system: There are different types of gasification systems available, including fixed beds, fluidized beds, and entrained flow gasifiers. The choice of the gasification system will depend on the amount of paddy husk available and the amount of electricity that needs to be generated. 

Install the gasification system: Once chosen, it must be installed in the rural area. The design should be located close to the source of the paddy husk to minimize transportation costs. 

Operate the gasification system: It must be operated properly to ensure electricity is generated efficiently. This involves feeding the paddy husk into the gasifier and maintaining the appropriate temperature and pressure.

 

Distribute the electricity: The generated electricity can be distributed to the surrounding rural area using a grid or a microgrid. The distribution system should be designed to meet the needs of the rural community. 

Monitor and maintain the system: It is essential to monitor the gasification system to ensure that it operates efficiently and to perform regular maintenance to prevent breakdowns and ensure a long lifespan.

 

In summary, paddy husk gasification can be a sustainable solution for rural electrification.