Use of Biomass for as a Source of Energy

Introduction It is well understood that the world is facing a grave energy crisis. One of the most immediate and negative impacts of the rising fuel costs is the loss of competitiveness of products manufactured by the Sri Lankan Industries in all sectors, Plantations, Apparels, Ceramics etc. Alternatives to Fossil Fuels Sri Lanka, being one of the countries without any proven fossil fuel resources will need to look for alternatives to meet their energy demands. Sri Lanka possesses viable alternatives which can be utilized immediately for the thermal and electricity needs. This is by the widespread use of biomass which even now plays a major role in the energy supplies of both the industrial sector and the household sector. BIOMASS - BASIC DATA Definition : Biomass is the general term used to describe various types of carbonaceous material of organic origin. Some of these may be waste products form agriculture such as straw and rice husk - others derived from industries and forestry such as baggase and saw dust. All biomass has the essential characteristic of being derived from renewable sources and when used as a source of energy, has the advantage of being Carbon Neutral and thus does not contribute to global warming. Fuel wood plantations are a sustainable source of good quality biomass which does not threaten the forest cover or food production. Composition : Element Carbon Hydrogen Oxygen Nitrogen Sulfur Energy values: All forms of biomass have a calorific value of about 4500 K Cal/ Kg when calculated on dry, ash free basis. This would reduce depending on the moisture content and ash content for different types at the point of use. The conservative estimates of minimum available energy from renewable woody biomass at 20 % moisture content is a useful indicator. By Direct Combustion 3700 K Cal/ Kg Symbol C H O N S Wt % Dry - Ash Free 44-51 5.5-6.7 41-50 0.12-0.60 nil

080908

By Gasification Cost Comparison in Sri Lanka

2500 K Cal/ Kg Minimum

The comparative energy values compared to fossil fuels such as Furnace Oil, Diesel, Coal and LPG are illustrated below. The relative savings that can be achieved can be calculated using the current prices of each fuel. Type of Fuel Furnace Oil 1000 Seconds Diesel LPG 1Coal Renewable Wood @ 20 % H2O Density kg/l 0.95 0.87 1.77 kg/m3 @STP 0.3 (average) Calorific Value K Cal/ Kg 10,200 10,500 11,000 6500 3700

In general. l litre of oil can be replaced by 4 Kg of wood and 1 Kg of coal is equivalent to 2 Kg of wood. Availability of Biomass in Sri Lanka Several ready sources of biomass can be identified in Sri Lanka. The current availability of some of these on an annual basis is as follows. Current Annual Tonnage Rice Husk Rice Straw (1997 Values) (1998 Values) 450,000 tons 2,690,000 tons 100,000 tons

Timber Milling Industry Saw Dust and Cut offs

Biomass has been a traditional source of energy in Sri Lanka and even now provides up to 60 % of all energy consumed for all types of use. It is in the interest of the country to increase rather than decrease this contribution. Potential for Energy Plantations Without considering the presently available biomass sources mentioned, the potential for generation of renewable woody biomass by planting Short Rotation Coppicing ( SRC) species such as Gliricidia Sepium in marginal lands, deserves urgent attention.

080908

Estimated availability of marginal lands extent Minimum Yield of Biomass by Short Rotation Coppicing Fossil Fuel Usage in Industries

1,700,000 Ha 20- 30 tons/ Ha/yr

Sri Lanka currently uses 429,000 tons of oil as a source of thermal energy for industries in boilers, kilns air heaters etc. This energy can be derived form 1,700,000 tons of fuel wood. Interestingly, the industries are located in the western and northwestern provinces which also have the main coconut plantations. It is possible to generate the entirety of this fuel wood requirement from less than 25% of the coconut plantations which total about 400,000 Ha, by intercropping with gliricidia sepium recognized further as a proven source of nitrogen fertilizer for the coconut plantations The benefits for the industries by converting to the use of fuel wood from fossil fuels are illustrated below.

INDUSTRY

Tea Factories

DC Mills Ceramic Factories Rubber Processing Factories Large Scale Bakeries Textile Mills Edible Food Processing Factories Brass Melting Industries

TYPES of FOSSIL FUELS USED Furnace Oil Diesel Furnace Oil Diesel LPG Furnace Oil Diesel LPG Oil Furnace Oil Furnace Oil

APPLICATION Hot Air Generation Steam Generation Hot Air Generation Steam Generation Ovens Steam Generation Steam Generation Melting Furnaces

TYPICAL OIL/GAS CONSUMPTION 0.28 l / kg of Made Tea

EQUIVALENT WOOD CONSUMPTION ( kg @ 20% moisture)

SAVINGS MADE (Rs.)per Unit of Production 15 26 15 27 164 2 4 10.75

0.3 l / kg of DC 2 kg/1m2 of Tile 0.04 l/Pair of Gloves 0.13 kg/kg of Bread

1.3 8

0.2 0.5

0.3 l/kg of Fat

1.3

15 18

0.35 l/kg of Brass

1.4

080908

Coir Pith Fiber Briquette

Furnace Oil

Hot Air Generation

0.16 l/kg of Briquettes

0.6 125 kg/Body 70 110 100 4.5

8.5 1,937.5 0 price per liter price per liter price per kg price per kg

Crematorium LPG Cremation 25 kg/Body Any Other Industry with Large Thermal Requirement Price of Furnace Oil Rs. Price of Diesel Rs. Price of LP Gas Rs. Price of Wood Rs.

Technology for Conversion. While most applications can be changed to the use of fuel wood by direct combustion as in the case of boilers, some other application which require a clean burning fuel will require the use of gasifiers to convert the wood to producer gas. The basic gasifiers with minimal gas cleaning is adequate for most applications. However, more sophisticated gasfiers and cleaning mechanisms will be required for special applications such as ceramic kilns and food processing industries. Such technologies are available commercially. Thermal Energy Needs for Commercial Operations Different commercial operations such as fast food outlets, restaurants, bakeries and hotels also require thermal energy for cooking , steam and hot water generation. These needs can also be met economically using suitably designed gasifiers, which can target readily available sources of biomass such as dried king coconut husks. Domestic Cooking Energy Needs With ever rising cost of LPG the preferred source of home cooking fuel, there is enormous potential to introduce biomass based convenient and clean cooking appliances. The wood stove introduced by the NERD Centre is gaining popularity among some sectors. A more user friendly and attractive model will find widespread acceptance if a market for the convenient supply of pre processed fuel wood is also developed in parallel. Please visit the Bio Energy of Sri Lanka web site www.bionergysrilanka.org for more details on above.

080908

Other Sources of SRC Biomass The work done by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Coconut Research Institute has confirmed the choice of Gliricidia Sepium as a very viable and appropriate species to be propagated as an energy plantation. It can be grown in many ways The traditional use in live fences Intercropping in coconut plantations As support stems for pepper cultivations Dedicated Dendro Plantations

The recommended planting density is at 1 m intervals in rows 2 m apart. This gives a density of 2,000 trees per acre. Interestingly, the choice of Gliricidia Sepium opens up a treasure trove of a substantial existing resource base of renewable woody biomass which is not presently targeted for any other significant use. This is unlike the case of forest plantation thinning and rubber wood from replanting of estates. A survey by the Ceylon Tobacco Company has revealed that in thirty Grama Niladhari Divisions in Walapane Division alone there are 4.5 million Gliricidia trees planted as fences. This is equivalent to more than 2,000 acres of dedicated plantations ready and waiting to be used.
This article has been prepared by Mr. Parakrama Jayasinghe, President of the Bio Energy Association of Sri Lanka and it is reproduced with his permission

080908