Application of Zero-Emission Initiative Using Biocoke Technology in Horokanai Town

Abstract

Horokanai Town has known to produce the most buckwheat in Japan, approximately more than 2,900 tons of buckwheat annually. In recent years, the demand for shelled buckwheat has increased. As the result, the industrial waste which included the buckwheat husks and buckwheat residues, are generated in large quantities. Currently, the town does not have an effective treatment or recycling methods in managing the wastes from the buckwheat husks and buckwheat residue. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the production of biocoke from four biomass materials: buckwheat husks, buckwheat residue, garbage, and sewage sludge. Furthermore, we also analyzed a process to reduce kerosene consumption in Horokanai Town by using biocoke as a heating fuel in the boiler. It was found that 108 tons of biocoke can be produced annually. If those biocoke are used for heating the Horokanai town government building, approximately 51.5 kl/year of kerosene and 81 tons/year of CO₂ emissions can be reduced. In addition, the incineration ash generated from biocoke boiler does not contain heavy metals and also rich in minerals, therefore it can be returned to agricultural land.