Chemical Compositions and Thermal Characteristics of Rice Husk and Rice Husk Ash in Korea

For better and large utilization of rice husk, the production and consumption status, differences in chemical composition and heating value due to region and variety, and thermogravimetric characteristic of rice husk were studied. In addition, the differences in chemical composition due to region and variety and the crystallization characteristic of rice husk ash were also studied. Approximately 800,000 M/T of rice husk was produced per year in Korea, which is about $18\%$ of the paddy production by weight. Noticeable varietal and regional difference pattern in chemical composition was not found among the domestic rice husk samples. Their average ash content and higher heating value were $16.4\%$ and 16,660 kJ/kg by dry basis, respectively. A relation seemed to exist between the carbon content and higher heating value. Noticeable difference pattern in chemical composition was not found among the domestic rice husk ash samples. The $SiO_2$ contents were a little low, the maximum being $92.9\%,$ and the contents of major components such as CaO, MgO, and $K_2O$ were also lower compared with foreign rice husk ash due to the deficiency of compost matters in domestic soils. Thermogravimetry study showed the thermal decomposition of rice husk started at about $250^{\circ}C,$ followed by relatively fast combustion of combustible gas until the temperature rose to $350^{\circ}C.$ After $350^{\circ}C,$ combustion of the carbon component proceeded relatively slowly as the temperature increased. Therefore, the ignition temperature of the rice husk could be estimated around $300^{\circ}C$ . Crystallization of $SiO_2$ in the rice husk ash was found from the combustion temperature of $750^{\circ}C$ and became distinctly when the combustion temperature exceeded $900^{\circ}C$ . The ash became darker with $SiO_2$ crystallization.