Cane Waste to Electrical Energy

Sugarcane.

Sugar production waste can be turned into new energy sources for electricity production. According to the study, published in the journal International Progress in Industrial Ecology, Vikram Seebaluck, an engineer from the University of Mauritius and Dipeeka Seeruttun of the Royal Institute of Technology, in Stockholm, Sweden, the optimal blend of sugarcane agricultural residues (30 percent), mixed with 70 percent of sugar cane bagasse (fibrous remaining after sugar production) can be used to generate electricity at a cost of only U.S. $ 0.06 per kWh.

Sugarcane is a giant perennial grass, of the genus saccharum which can be found in the form of wet or dry. In tropical and some temperate regions, this plant can grow on the ground like a bamboo rod.

Sugarcane bagasse, a pulp-like 
waste product created during 
sugar production. (Picture 
from:http://zerogblog.com/)

At the top and bottom of the cane land, growing rhizomes, leaves and roots. A total of 30 tonnes per hectare, sugar cane fiber and water delivered to the factories for the production of sugar, and leaving a residue of 24 tonnes per hectare, in the form of waste as biomass.

Currently sugarcane bagasse can be burned to produce heat and converted into electrical energy. Energy to increase production in sugar mills, and surplus electricity can be exported to neighboring countries. From the results of this process, still leaves 20 tons of waste per hectare for fertilizer in the fields. This waste is actually still contains the same energy as bagasse.

Dr Seeruttun said, technically it's still worth the waste of raw materials to be used when mixed with the bagasse for electricity production. In 30:70 mixture of waste bagasse, can reduce the risk of providing a place for waste disposal as used for the combustion of bagasse.

According to economic analysts and technology, the use of sugarcane waste products effectively, is the expansion of bioenergy in the countryside that will create jobs. In addition to reducing energy imports, also cut greenhouse gas emissions overall. Its use, can generate electricity which is equivalent to 230 kg of coal. This amount is also equivalent to the energy produced 560 kg of carbon dioxide per ton.

But the inventors of new energy sources were reminded, that the use of bioenergy and biomass potential will memeriukan significant increase in investment, technology transfer and international cooperation. 

Scientists of Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in cooperation with Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station (LAES) and the American Sugar Cane League (ASCL), has released three new varieties of sugar cane-energy producing.

"The contents of plants contain fiber rod and high crystalline sugar. Can be used as a feedstock for ethanol, which are complementary. Now the mechanic, have already made the processor of raw sugar cane fiber burners to produce heat energy is great. Technical equipment is capable of destroying the stems are hard and crystallization process sugar better, "said Edward Richard, head of ARS Research Unit.

According to Edward, the extracted sucrose sugar is sold for consumption or converted into ethanol. He also said, that biorefineries can use the fiber as well. With new technology, cellulose can be converted into ethanol with a cheaper cost. *** [DEDI RISKOMAR | PIKIRAN RAKYAT 02082012]

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