Studies on potential utilization of rice husk char in blend with lignite for cocombustion application

Abstract

Combustion behavior of Indian lignite sample blended with rice husk chars (prepared at low temperature) has been examined in this study through simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG) technique. Range of inputs obtainable by characteristic TG–DSC parameters has been utilized to arrive at important conclusions and observations in respect of ideal selection of blend proportion, proper utilization of the blend combination, etc. Deviations of experimental mass loss pattern (TG) and of rate curve (DTG) from corresponding expected theoretically calculated pattern have also been noted for different blends to examine possible advantageous or disadvantageous effects. As per the observations recorded, use of biomass char in blends (with lignite) was found to be very much beneficial and its proportion in the blends may be restricted to a level of 40 % by mass to extract maximum benefits in burning performance. This paper also focuses specific advantages of use of rice husk char in place of raw rice husk for cocombustion applications. Moreover, the importance of heat release pattern to assess compatibility of a fuel mix with existing boiler design and also to workout fresh boiler design for cocombustion application has been discussed in this paper.