The Characteristics and Power Generation Energetics of Coal, Cattle Dung, Rice Husk, and Their Blends

Abstract

In the present investigation, studies on proximate analysis, energy value, and ash fusion temperatures of E grade coal, cattle dung, rice husk, and their various blends have been carried out to assess their power generation potentials. The studied coal was found to have the highest fixed carbon content and energy value, followed by cattle dung and rice husk. In comparison to cattle dung–rice husk mixtures, the similarly prepared coal–cattle dung blends exhibited significantly higher energy values and proved themselves to be more superior fuels for power generation. Coal, cattle dung, and rice husk ashes were tested for their fusion temperatures and the results obtained established higher values, indicating no chance of bed agglomeration during combustion of these fuels and their blends up to about 900–950°C. Both the energy value and power generation potential of coal–cattle dung blend got reduced with an increase of its dung content, suggesting the power generation process to be more efficient with smaller fraction of dung in the blend. The calculation results showed that an increase in dung content from zero to 90% in the coal blend enhanced the blend requirement from 4,565 to 6,309 tons/year in order to ensure a perpetual supply of electricity for a group of 10–15 villages.