Rice-Straw-Based Heat Generation System Compared to Open-Field Burning and Soil Incorporation of Rice Straw: An Assessment of Energy, GHG Emissions, and Economic Impacts

Maria Victoria P. Migo-Sumagang, Monet Concepcion Maguyon-Detras, Martin Gummert, Catalino G. Alfafara, Myra G. Borines, Jewel A. Capunitan and Nguyen Van Hung
Additional contact information
Maria Victoria P. Migo-Sumagang: International Rice Research Institute, DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila, Manila 1301, Philippines
Monet Concepcion Maguyon-Detras: Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Los Baños, Laguna 4031, Philippines
Martin Gummert: International Rice Research Institute, DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila, Manila 1301, Philippines
Catalino G. Alfafara: Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Los Baños, Laguna 4031, Philippines
Myra G. Borines: Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Los Baños, Laguna 4031, Philippines
Jewel A. Capunitan: Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Los Baños, Laguna 4031, Philippines
Nguyen Van Hung: International Rice Research Institute, DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila, Manila 1301, Philippines

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 13, 1-18

Abstract: Rice is a staple food crop, and its production generates large volumes of agricultural waste, rice straw. Several studies have proven that open-field burning and soil incorporation are unsustainable practices of managing rice straw, but remain as prevalent methods of treating and disposing of rice straw. An alternative solution is to harness the energy from rice straw via a small-scale heat conversion system for paddy drying applications, which can reduce rice grain post-processing costs and improve paddy storage conditions. This study investigated the energy flow, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, and cost of a small-scale rice-straw-based heat generation (RBHG) system using a downdraft furnace and a dryer simulator setup. The highest input energy and GHG emissions of 92% and 68%, respectively, were from the heat generation stage. The RBHG energy ratio was between 1.4 and 1.7, and the percent net energy was between 39 and 67%. The best case of RBHG offers a possibility of a net GHG avoided (−61 kg CO 2 -eq Mg −1 ), while the worst case (856 kg CO 2 -eq Mg −1 ) has a net GHG emission comparable with soil incorporation. The average total cost of RBHG is 0.096 USD kWh −1 . Overall, RBHG technology has the potential to improve energy flow, GHG emissions, and the cost of rice production systems.

Keywords: rice straw; bioenergy; furnace; net energy balance; Net GHG emissions; Life Cycle Assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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