Biomass Alternative-Fuels Program. Final Report. Feasibility Study for Alternative-Fuels Production: Fluidized-Bed Gasification of Rice Hulls. Executive Summary

摘要

This study examines the feasibility of constructing an alternate fuel production facility using a rice hull fuel currently being generated at the American Rice, Inc. (ARI) processing facility in Houston, Texas. The demands for energy at the existing plant closely match the potential energy outputs which can be produced from the quantities of alternate fuels available. It was found that fluidized-bed gasification of the rice hulls which produces a low Btu gaseous fuel and a char by-product has the greatest potential for meeting the energy demands of ARI. The char by-product produced is potentially a marketable item, although no market has been developed to date. The low Btu gaseous fuel can be used to produce various forms of useable energy. The proposed plant, to be located within the ARI facility, would consume 340 tons a day of rice hulls, the projected average daily output of the existing facility. It would produce 5.17 megawatts of electric power; 30,000 pounds per hour of process steam and 84 tons a day of char. This output would completely fulfill ARI's steam and electricity demands with an additional 1.9 megawatts of electricity available for sale to the local power company. The estimated total installed cost of the proposed plant is $8,787,000. The estimated return on investment is 36.8%, assuming natural gas costs and char marketing revenue predictions hold true. (ERA citation 07:049593)