Effects of Compaction on Silica Solubility and Physical Properties of Rice Husk Ash for Fertilizer Use

Abstract

 Extremely lightweight of rice husks due to low specific gravity is disadvantageous for accelerating its usage. To overcome this disadvantage, rice husks are sometimes compacted, that is, pelletized or solidified to assist easy and cheap collection and hauling. However, the compaction process may negatively affect the properties of silica in the husk. In this study, the influence of the compaction process was studied through the solubility and physical properties of silica. Two types of fuels, pellet and stick fuels, were synthesized and their influence on the properties of the fuel ash was evaluated. Consequently, stick fuels were better than pellet fuels in terms of fertilizer use of the ash during their use in residential stoves and small commercial heaters. Contrastingly, rice husks in the existing form were better than stick fuels under washing conditions; however, rice husks had disadvantages in terms of cost and handling during collection and hauling. Selection of rice husks in their existing form or compacted rice husks must be carefully considered based on the business approaches of the rice production stakeholders.