Alternative Management of Rice Straw

Summary

The goal of the project is to identify economically viable and environmentally sound alternative uses for the 500 800,000 tonnes of rice straw in Australia that are produced each year. The output will be a review and systematic analysis, comparing the likely economic, environmental and practical advantages of different existing and emerging options, technologies and markets for rice straw reuse and identifying research and development knowledge gaps. Currently there are a plethora of options and schemes that the industry could invest in; bioenergy (cofiring, stand alone combustion, anaerobic digestion, biofuels), biochar, biocharashclay mixes to act as slow release fertilizers or soil conditioners, building materials, recyclable packaging, water purification, enzyme treatment for improved livestock nutrition and others. Through review, simple economic assessment,being cognisant of a lifecycle approach, regional stakeholder workshops and consultation within SunRice and with other industries, consultants, academics and technology providers, the project will provide the rice industry with a foundation upon which it may make more informed decisions for investment for straw reuse infrastructure and technology and rice straw management research and development.

Program

Rice

Research Organisation

CSIRO

Objective Summary

The project will identify economically viable and environmentally sound alternative uses for the 500 800,000 tonnes of rice straw in Australia that are produced each year. The objectives of the project are to compare options, or mixes of options that may provide the industry with a reliable alternative to burning for rice straw management and hence provide a rationale for future infrastructure and research and development investment. The project will review likely economic, environmental and practical advantages for short medium and long term scenarios of different existing and emerging options and technologies and understand the benefits and constraints of previous industry initiatives in Australia and overseas (e.g bioenergy mixes, biochar, rice hull pyrolysis, difficulties in using straw in combustion systems through fouling,market constraints for rice straw building materials and livestock fodder and bedding). Using inhouse industry knowledge, grey literature and peer reviewed bioenergy, biomass, biochar and other literature as well as stakeholder workshops and industry consultation, the project will develop researcher and industry knowledge using economic and LCA type thinking for different straw management strategies and identify knowledge gaps.