[Gasification] Subject: Rice Husk as Gasifier Fuel

[Ferruccio Pittaluga]

Dear all,
it seems to me that a main issue is overlooked when discussing gasification of rice husk. The problem is the possible, maybe even likely, production of cristobalite (Silicon Dioxide, http://www.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/cristoba/cristoba.htm), a polymorph of quartz, but highly carcinogenic. I really do not know if significant amounts of this material are produced in gasification processes, but I know for sure that they are emitted at stack if you burn rice husk mixed with woodchips on moving grid hearth. Has anyone got additional information on this topic?
Ferruccio Pittaluga
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DIMSET/SCL - Savona Combustion Lab
pittalug at unige.it
http://proxy.sv.inge.unige.it/SCL/