Case study in the conversion of fired-wood fuel to other suitable ones in the rural areas of vietnam

Burning agricultural wastes for energy was considered and encouraged by the government because agricultural wastes would be converted the to useful energy for agricultural product drying. It also helped decrease the contamination caused by these wastes. For these purposes, we have designed and tested a tobacco dryer using rice husk for burning energy. It was very useful for the areas having an available source of rice husk. Tobacco drying is an important factor in producing a quality product. To pre-process the product of 9,000 ha we need 3,500 dryers that currently use 40-50 % fired-wood fuel for drying. This activity has been causing the exhaustion of forestry resource and affecting the ecology. So, it is urgent to find a completely alternate fuel that increases the drying quality as well as decreases the drying cost. To obtain this goal, it was necessary to redesign the heat-supply system and the drying bin. The tobacco dryer structure was changed from a single to a double combustion chamber. The results of the research showed that the double combustion chamber dryer was able to use coal and produce high quality post-drying tobacco of the first and second type and, at the same time, reduce the drying cost. Using coal fuel to process anchovy has created practical profits, increased the living standards of the peasants in the coastal areas and contributed to the development of the agricultural and fishery economy. This was accomplished by using a new type of steam room which maintained a high quality at an acceptable cost. Also, the use of coal for anchovy steaming will preserve our safe and firm environment.