Bio-Mass Utilization in Sri Lanka

Technical/Financial Assistance Required for Encouraging Utilization of Bio-Mass in Sri Lanka ► Data Base on Availability of Bio-Mass > Quantities (Present & Future) > Area Wise > Different Types (Saw Dust, Paddy Husk, Wood Logs/Off cuts, Gliricidia etc… ► At present many organizations/Investors are reluctant to replace fossil fuels or to start new projects in this field without these information ► It is possible to get universities involved in this task and they will require financial assistance

Drying ► Moisture content of Wood Logs 30-35% Moisture content of Saw Dust 30-35% Moisture content of Gliricidia around 50% ► Bio-Mass users are looking for a cost effective way of drying Bio-Mass before feeding into furnace ► In this respect technology transfer (preferably using flue gas/solar) from Japan is appreciated

Chipping ► Those who are using wood chips in their boilers/heaters are unable to install their own chippers due to very high noise level created by chippers ► Therefore chippers are installed at far a way places which results in escalating wood chips price due to cost of transport ► Also it is not possible to make use of uprooted trees, prunings etc… in urban councils, municipalities etc…

► We were informed that Japanese manufacturers have developed very low noise chippers. With the assistance of ex- research/Japanese govt. it may be possible to introduce such type of chippers ► We came to know that Fuji King chippers are equipped with mechanical feeding system and many other features which enables to improve productivity of chipping operation. Although they are fairly expensive, it may be possible to fabricate at least 50% of the chipping system locally ► It is worthwhile to look at possibilities of such arrangement with the help of ex-research institute Chipping Contd…

Bio-Mass Dust Burners ► One of the major problems in Bio-Mass burning in boilers is load fluctuation and pressure drop due to uneven feeding/uneven moisture content ► Bio-Mass fine dust burners is the most suitable solution for the above problem if there is a possibility to overcome backfiring ► This technology is new to our country and sawdust users may be interested in trying out ► A pilot project would be ideal to popularise it

Bio-Mass Gassification ► Most of the gassification plants in our country are facing technical problems such as tar generation, uneven producer gas production etc… High temperature gassification may be a solution and encouraging results have shown in prototype plants in Japan ► Technology transfer is most welcome

Firing High Moisture Waste of Tea Leaves in Instant Tea Powder Producing Factories ► Instant tea powder is made by spray drying of extracts of tea leaves ► There were two factories and one of them has been closed down ► Few more factories will be set up in the future ► These factories are facing a problem of disposing huge amount of waste tea leaves with 70%-80% moisture ►They are looking for a proven technology at affordable price to burn waste tea leaves in a bio-mass boiler ► Moisture reduction of this waste & mixing with saw dust/wood chips/paddy husk and burning in a boiler may be a solution ►Technology transfer and financial assistance (soft loan) are most welcome

Waste Water Treatment ► Lion Brewery company is interested in setting up a very compact waster-water treatment for their effluent ► If such systems/technologies are available in Japan at affordable prices, the company will be interested in negotiating with proven technology providers. In this respect most of the accessories could be manufactured locally as there are no pressure parts.

Small Capacity Bio-Mass Boilers ► There are many potential small scale industries interested in small bio-mass boilers from 100Kg/hr to 500Kg/hr capacity range ► Because of the high cost involved in importing them to Sri Lanka they continue to burn fossil fuels (Diesel/Kerosine) ► If the technology transfer only for pressure parts could be arranged, insulation, ducting, piping, dust control systems (dry & wet) could be fabricated locally

Thank You