The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization in Muñoz City proved that the carbonized rice hull is a good element and a low-cost alternative in making biomass heater. Based from its researches, when mixed with cement, CRH contains 87% of silica that can clasp temperature ranging from 700 degrees centigrade to 750 degrees centigrade. It was in 2008 when the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (now PHilMech) started the execution of the mechanical drying support to farm clusters. The improved flatbed dryers are dispersed to qualified irrigators associations.
According to Ricardo Cachuela, PHilMech director, the project already dispersed 2, 147 flatbed dryers to deal with the problems on drying of palay producing provinces. They wanted to guarantee that their supplies will be dried and will not be wasted during the showery time of year.
The use of CRH as a garden repair material for the furnace is highly suggested by PHilMech. Only skilled personnel must operate the dryer. The materials are made in wedge form, it must be dried for two weeks it then it be assembled like the unusual design. For every bag of concentrated cement 5 bags of CRH must be mixed. Flatbed dryer is more cost-effective and convenient to use. One of the beneficiaries of the project and the first organization who used the CRH is the Mabacan Irrigators’ Association (MIA) located in Calauan, Laguna.
Maura Ilagan, MIA president, stated that the CRH is a superior treatment to damaged furnace.
The furnaces made from CRH now lessen the rice hull requirements in drying. Before, the rice hull utilization in drying 120 cavans reached to 30 sacks but now they only need 25 sacks. [via mindanaoexaminer.com]