Citation

Lim, K. O. and R. Ratnalingam, Energy from agriculture wastes - is it a worthwhile consideration in Malaysia. The Planter 57: 182-187, 1981.

Abstract

The extent of the availability of agricultural wastes from paddy fields, oil palm and sugarcane plantations and their mills were determined. The fuel values of these wastes are also determined using a bomb calorimeter. The results show that with the continuous cultivation of these crops, the potential power harnessable from their wastes, on a per acre basis is about 5.8 kW for sugarcane, 1.6kW for oil palm and 1.1 kW for padi. Assuming that the energy obtainable from these agricultural wastes can be converted at 15% efficiency, then it is estimated that with the continuous cultivation of just one acre of crop, sugarcane wastes can provide the basic lighting needs of eight to nine rural households while the wastes from the oil palm fruits and the padi fields can supply the basic lighting needs of about two rural households. Similarly, it is found that wastes obtainable through the continuous cultivation of sugarcane on an area of land thirty-three miles by thirty-three miles can provide the energy equivalent to that obtainable from a 600 MW nuclear power plant. These estimates therefore suggest that the potential energy harnessable from agricultural wastes obtainable in Malaysia can be quite sustainable. As such, the local practices on the disposable and/or use of these agricultural wastes need to be carefully reexamined.

Country, State, District, etc.

Malaysia

Language

English

Material

rice straw, bagasse

Use category

energy production