The aim of this project is to develop the feasible collection, treatment and application model for two of the most abundant biomass resources - rice straw and wasted shiitake mushroom growth bags, as alternative fuel use. To evaluate feasible solutions for domestic application, referring and sorting out domestic and foreign literatures related to collection, transportation and technologies in treating biomass wastes has been completed. Two demonstration areas for different feedstock have been selected in this project. Xizhou Township, Zhanghua County is selected as the demonstration area, where rice straw will be utilized as major biomass resource mixed with some other local useable biomass wastes. Xinshe District, Taizhong City is selected as the demonstration area for using shiitake mushroom growth bags, which were investigated the quantity of sawdust used (including the imported amount) and the whereabouts of the wastes. Additionally, three expert consulting meetings have been held. From those invited experts and academics, expertise points of views in technical and economic feasibility, and on-site investigation would be helpful in conducting this project. The results showed that supply of the biomass feedstock is able to meet the demand for setting up the manufacturing plant in both demonstration areas. To compare the product for using and no using the torrification when manufacturing, the pellet product without torrification process owns higher heating value per unit cost, and lower total cost. However, the heating value of the torrified product can achieve to a level similar to the fuel coal, its energy density is 30% more than the non-torrified product. Also, its storage is much easier for its hydrophobic characteristics. For the time being, though the cost of biomass charcoal is higher than the fuel coal, it is still lower than the marketing price of the fuel oil and its emitted pollutant is lower than the fuel coal and heavy oil. In the future, if the biomass wastes will be converted to solid biomass fuel, it can be applied as the fuel of the small boiler and substitute the current heavy oil boiler. To consider both the cost and heating value, no matter if it is torrified or not, it is proposed that both primary equipment and labor cost will be significantly decreased if the yield capacity can be increased to certain level, and will be highly competitive in biomass fuel market.

Biomass;Biomass Wastes;Rice Straw;Shiitake Mushroom Growth Bag;Pretreatment