Complex technology for the processing and converting the rice husks into high-tech carbon / silicon containing products

Summary A Bulgarian research team with experience in research and development in the field of general and inorganic chemistry has developed a technology based on thermochemical methods for treating rice husks to transform them into value-added carbon-silicon materials. The team is looking for commercial agreements with technical assistance with interested companies to introduce the technology or a technical cooperation agreement for further development.

Description

The technology refers to the complex processing of agricultural waste such as rice husks. Rice production is a traditional sector in agriculture directly linked to the accumulation of flake waste, which accounts for about 20% of the weight of untreated rice.

The quantity of this waste, currently only in Bulgaria, amounts to more than 11,000 tons per year, with a steady growth trend. Because of its low calorific value, high ash content and low nutritional value, rice flakes are unusable as feed or energy. Its deposit is associated with double pressure, on the one hand, on the environment and, on the other hand, economically on the rice producers.

The proposed technology, developed by the Bulgarian research organisation, is based on the fact that rice husks are a natural source of C and Si. By suitable thermochemical treatment methods, different carbon-silicon-containing materials with added value and varied practical applicability can be obtained, including:
- adsorbent for spillage of spills of oil and petroleum products;
- adsorbent for cleaning refuse water from dyes and ions of some heavy metals;
- adsorbent for post desulphurisation of fuels by deep adsorption;
- sodium or potassium liquid silicate (water glass);
- silicon carbide;
- polycrystalline Si;
- SiO2 with high purity (amount of inorganic admixtures is below 50 ppm);
- amorphous SiO2 (white ash), suitable additive in cement and concrete, as well as filler for epoxidase natural rubber;
- C-SiO2 containing material as a hybrid filler for elastomers;
- carbon based materials for electrochemical power sources;
- bio-fertilizer developed from pyrolysed rice husks or rice husks ash.
In addition to the products that can be obtained by processing the rice husks, their pyrolysis is associated with the release of pyrolysis oil, which is a zero sulphur bio fuel.

The development of technology requires investments in industrial and / or pilot installations under the developed technology scheme, marketing and commercialisation of end products. Thus, the team seeks commercial agreement with technical assistance with industrial partners for the implementation of the technology or technical agreement for further technological development in order to continue the technological development based on specific existing technological capacity of partners.

Advantages & innovations - Conversion of the waste materials and environmental pollutant into value-added products; - Heat which may be converted into electricity is obtained; - The application of a modular principle in the construction of the technological line, which ensures flexibility.

Stage of development Under development/lab tested

Contact / source: Complex technology for the processing and converting the rice husks into high-tech carbon / silicon containing products (business-russia-een.ru)