Citation

Amin-Arsala, B. T., Roetheli, J. C., and M. R. Moore, Fuel and chemicals from rice processing waste: a new source of income and rural industry. Tennessee Valley Authority, January, 1987.

Abstract

When successfully commercialized, the TVA biomass refinery will convert cellulosic processing wastes such as rice husk into higher value products. Since rice husk is a waste product collected at rice mills throughout the world and does not require size reduction or pretreatment, it is an inexpensive feedstock for the refinery. The TVA experimental plant described its constructed of low cost fiberglass reinforced plastic and operates at atmospheric pressure using concentrated sulfuric acid as a catalyst which keeps cost lower than those associated with past attempts at acid hydrolysis. Initial tests on rice husk in this process indicate that ethanol yields of 50-60 gallons per ton of rice husk are possible. As markets warrant, more sophisticated chemicals can also be derived.

Country, State, District, etc.

United States, Louisiana

Language

English

Material

rice straw, rice husks

Use category

ethanol production, chemical production