Report on feasibility study on the use of non-wood wastes from rubber plantation for energy production

Abstract

Fallen wastes from a rubber plantation were collected during the 1991 fall season (March-April) in order to study the energy potential of the rubber plantation wastes. Rubber trees produced 227.3 kg/rai and 15.7 kg/rai of dry leaves and fallen branches, respectively. The rubber plantation wastes rank number 5 in terms of amount and energy compared with other major agricultural residues. Energy from the rubber plantation wastes is equivalent to 5.8283x1016 J/year which represents 5.95% of total energy consumption of the country (in 1988). However, it was found that the collection of the wastes significantly affected the moisture of the top soil in the field. Handling of the wastes is costly. Mechanization for the waste collection and densification is technically possible but is not economically feasible unless the carbonized leaf briquettes are produced.