Generation of High Quality Biogenic Silica by Combustion of Rice Husk and Rice Straw Combined with Pre- and Post-Treatment Strategies—A Review

Development of photoactive ZnS-SiO2 composites on biogenic silica matrix for organic pollutant degradation

Sulfide ZnS-SiO2 composite photocatalysts with biogenic silica matrix were prepared by sol-gel method based on wet gel and xerogel. FT-IR, SEM, XRD, EDXRF, UV-Vis, and XPS methods were systematically used to characterize the obtained materials. The use of support allowed to obtain stable porous (SBET = 79-105 m2 g-1; Vpore = 0.25-0.17 cm3·g-1) ZnS-SiO2 photocatalysts in aqueous solutions. Zn2+ content in methyl orange solution after its degradation was 0.4 MPC. ZnS-SiO2 composites had 3.68-3.70 eV band gap. The obtained materials were photoactive under different irradiation conditions (sunlight, UV-light, Xenon light, visible light) due to effective separation of charge carriers (e- and h+). Methyl orange degradation degree under UV light excitation was 35-88%, under sunlight - 11-30%. ZnS-SiO2 composite synthesized using silica xerogel showed a greater photoactivity due to a presence of cone-shaped or cylindrical pores with one open end in its structure and a higher content of ZnS photoactive component. A comparative study of photocatalytic performance of methyl orange degradation by ZnS-SiO2 under UV irradiation was investigated using radical scavengers. •O2- was main active species during MO degradation under UV irradiation, and electrons played additional role during the photocatalytic process.

Fabrication of High-Performance Natural Rubber Composites with Enhanced Filler-Rubber Interactions by Stearic Acid-Modified Diatomaceous Earth and Carbon Nanotubes for Mechanical and Energy Harvesting Applications

Mechanical robustness and high energy efficiency of composite materials are immensely important in modern stretchable, self-powered electronic devices. However, the availability of these materials and their toxicities are challenging factors. This paper presents the mechanical and energy-harvesting performances of low-cost natural rubber composites made of stearic acid-modified diatomaceous earth (mDE) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The obtained mechanical properties were significantly better than those of unfilled rubber. Compared to pristine diatomaceous earth, mDE has higher reinforcing efficiencies in terms of mechanical properties because of the effective chemical surface modification by stearic acid and enhanced filler-rubber interactions. The addition of a small amount of CNT as a component in the hybrid filler systems not only improves the mechanical properties but also improves the electrical properties of the rubber composites and has electromechanical sensitivity. For example, the fracture toughness of unfilled rubber (9.74 MJ/m3) can be enhanced by approximately 484% in a composite (56.86 MJ/m3) with 40 phr (per hundred grams of rubber) hybrid filler, whereas the composite showed electrical conductivity. At a similar mechanical load, the energy-harvesting efficiency of the composite containing 57 phr mDE and 3 phr CNT hybrid filler was nearly double that of the only 3 phr CNT-containing composite. The higher energy-harvesting efficiency of the mDE-filled conductive composites may be due to their increased dielectric behaviour. Because of their bio-based materials, rubber composites made by mDE can be considered eco-friendly composites for mechanical and energy harvesting applications and suitable electronic health monitoring devices.

Rice straw based silicon nanoparticles improve morphological and nutrient profile of rice plants under salinity stress by triggering physiological and genetic repair mechanisms

The agricultural sector is facing numerous challenges worldwide, owing to global climate change and limited resources. Crop production is limited by numerous abiotic constraints. Among them, salinity stress as a combination of osmotic and ionic stress adversely influences the physiological and biochemical processes of the plant. Nanotechnology facilitates the production of crops either directly by eradicating the losses due to challenging environmental conditions or indirectly by improving tolerance against salinity stress. In this study, the protective role of silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) was determined in two rice genotypes, N-22 and Super-Bas, differing in salinity tolerance. The SiNPs were confirmed through standard material characterization techniques, which showed the production of spherical-shaped crystalline SiNPs with a size in the range of 14.98-23.74 nm, respectively. Salinity stress adversely affected the morphological and physiological parameters of both varieties, with Super-Bas being more affected. Salt stress disturbed the ionic balance by minimizing the uptake of K+ and Ca2+ contents and increased the uptake of Na+ in plants. Exogenous SiNPs alleviated the toxic effects of salt stress and promoted the growth of both N-22 and Super-Bas, chlorophyll contents (16% and 13%), carotenoids (15% and 11%), total soluble protein contents (21% and 18%), and the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Expression analysis from quantitative real-time PCR showed that SiNPs relieved plants from oxidative bursts by triggering the expression of HKT genes. Overall, these findings demonstrate that SiNPs significantly alleviated salinity stress by triggering physiological and genetic repair mechanisms, offering a potential solution for food security.

Rice husk-derived mesoporous biogenic silica nanoparticles for gravity chromatography

Biogenic silica nanoparticle is a superb alternative to synthetic silica because of their highly active, polar, and porous nanostructure with a large interior area. Among the available agricultural bioresources, biogenic silica extracted from rice husks could be a simple, easily available, and cost-effective resource to use as the stationary phase for the column chromatographic technique. In the present study, highly pure amorphous biogenic silica nanoparticles (bSNPs) were synthesized using rice husk by a controlled combustion route followed by the sol-gel method. The bSNPs show better performance for the separation and isolation of ortho- and para-nitrophenol and nitroaniline. The outstanding performance of the as-synthesized bSNPs is attributed to the high surface area, high porosity, and presence of Si-OH polar bonds. These preliminary findings imply that rice husk, an agricultural waste, could be an alternative source of silica and applicable as a stationary phase in column chromatography.

Optical Detection of Acetone Using "Turn-Off" Fluorescent Rice Straw Based Cellulose Carbon Dots Imprinted onto Paper Dipstick for Diabetes Monitoring

Persistent bad breath has been reported as a sign of serious diabetes health conditions. If an individual's breath has a strong odor of acetone, it may indicate high levels of ketones in the blood owing to diabetic ketoacidosis. Thus, acetone gas in the breath of patients with diabetes can be detected using the current easy-to-use fluorescent test dipstick. In another vein, rice straw waste is the most well-known solid pollutant worldwide. Thus, finding a simple technique to change rice straw into a valuable material is highly important. A straightforward and environmentally friendly approach for reprocessing rice straw as a starting material for the creation of fluorescent nitrogen-doped carbon dots (NCDs) has been established. The preparation process of NCDs was carried out via one-pot hydrothermal carbonization using NH₄OH as a passivation substance. A testing strip was developed on the basis of cellulose CD nanoparticles (NPs) immobilized onto cellulose paper assay. The NCDs demonstrated a quantum yield of 23.76%. A fluorescence wavelength was detected at 443 nm upon applying an excitation wavelength of 354 nm. NCDs demonstrated remarkable selectivity for acetone gas as their fluorescence was definitely exposed to quenching by acetone as a consequence of the inner filter effect. A linear correlation was observed across the concentration range of 0.5-150 mM. To detect and measure acetone gas, the present cellulose paper strip has a "switch off" fluorescent signal. A readout limit was accomplished for an aqueous solution of acetone as low as 0.5 mM under ambient conditions. The chromogenic fluorescence of the cellulose assay responsiveness depends on the fluorescence quenching characteristic of the cellulose carbon dots in acetone. A thin fluorescent cellulose carbon dot layer was deposited onto the surface of cellulose strips by a simple impregnation process. CDs were made using NP morphology and analyzed using infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The carbon dot distribution on the paper strip was evaluated by scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. The absorption and fluorescence spectral analyses were investigated. The paper sheets' mechanical qualities were also examined.

Valorization of Residues from Energy Conversion of Biomass for Advanced and Sustainable Material Applications

The reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by shifting towards renewable energy sources to control global warming is one of the main challenges of the 21st century [...]

Biogenic Nanosilica Synthesis Employing Agro-Waste Rice Straw and Its Application Study in Photocatalytic Degradation of Cationic Dye

The current study aims towards a holistic utilization of agro-waste rice straw (RS) to synthesize nanosilica (SiNPs) employing the sol–gel method. The effect of ashing temperature was evaluated for the synthesis process. X-ray diffraction demonstrated a broad spectrum at 21.22° for SiNPs obtained using RSA-600, signifying its amorphous nature, whereas crystalline SiNPs were synthesized using RSA-900. The EDX and FTIR spectra confirmed the significant peaks of Si and O for amorphous SiNPs, confirming their purity over crystalline SiNPs. FE-SEM and TEM micrographs indicated the spheroid morphology of the SiNPs with an average size of 27.47 nm (amorphous SiNPs) and 52.79 nm (crystalline SiNPs). Amorphous SiNPs possessed a high surface area of 226.11 m2/g over crystalline SiNPs (84.45 m2/g). The results obtained attest that the amorphous SiNPs possessed better attributes than crystalline SiNPs, omitting the need to incorporate high temperature. Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue using SiNPs reflected that 66.26% of the dye was degraded in the first 10 min. The degradation study showed first-order kinetics with a half-life of 6.79 min. The cost-effective and environmentally friendly process offers a sustainable route to meet the increasing demand for SiNPs in industrial sectors. The study proposes a sustainable solution to stubble burning, intending towards zero waste generation, bioeconomy, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely SDG 13(Climate Action), SDG 3(Good health and well-being), SDG 7(use of crop residues in industrial sectors) and SDG 8 (employment generation).

Characteristics of Smoldering on Moist Rice Husk for Silica Production

In order to assess the possibility of silica production via smoldering of moist rice husk, experiments of washed (moist) rice husk (7 kg with moisture content of 51%) in a newly designed smoldering apparatus was performed. The temperature inside the fuel bed during smoldering was recorded, and characteristics of ash were analyzed. Results showed that the highest temperature in the middle of the naturally piled fuel bed was about 560.0 °C, lower than those in most of combustors. Some volatiles from the lower part of the fuel bed adhere to its upper ash during piled smoldering. Silica content and specific surface area of ash from smoldering of washed (moist) rice husk were 86.4% and 84.9 m2/g, respectively. Compared to our experiments, they are close to smoldering of unwashed rice husk (89.0%, 67.7 m2/g); different from muffle furnace burning (600 °C, 2 h) of washed (93.4%, 164.9 m2/g) and un-washed (90.2%, 45.7 m2/g) rice husk. The specific surface area is higher than those from most industrial methods (from 11.4 to 39.3 m2/g). After some improvements, the smoldering process has great potential in mass product of high quality silica directly from moist rice husk.

Eco-friendly and facile synthesis of size-controlled spherical silica particles from rice husk

The valorization of inorganic silica components from rice husk has been considered an important research topic over the last few decades. However, owing to various problems, such as the difficulty in controlling precise morphological properties, complex extraction and manufacturing processes, and the use of hazardous acids, the technology for producing high value-added silica for industrial applications is still insufficient. In this study, we developed a method for obtaining size-controlled spherical silica from rice husk using an eco-friendly and simplified process that overcomes the above-mentioned limitations. Silica particles were obtained by extraction from rice husk in alkaline media under mild conditions (80 °C) followed by pH adjustment with acetic acid. Therefore, the use of strong acids was excluded, no special equipment was required for the process, and the overall synthetic process was significantly simplified. The silica particles obtained through this method were uniformly spherical in shape, with a surface area of more than 200 m² g^-1. Our results indicate that the preparation of silicate solution under appropriate conditions and the use of polyethylene glycol (PEG) additives during the precipitation step are important for obtaining spherical silica. Moreover, by adjusting the temperature in the precipitation step, the size of the spherical silica particles can be controlled in the range of ∼250 nm to ∼1.4 μm. Our study contributes to the development of rice husk-derived silica that can be applied to practical industrial applications.

Extraction and Characterization of Biogenic Silica Obtained from Selected Agro-Waste in Africa

Increased amounts of available biomass residues from agricultural food production are present widely around the globe. These biomass residues can find essential applications as bioenergy feedstock and precursors to produce value-added materials. This study assessed the production of biogenic silica (SiO2) from different biomass residues in Africa, including cornhusk, corncob, yam peelings, cassava peelings and coconut husks. Two processes were performed to synthesize the biogenic silica. First, the biomass fuels were chemically pre-treated with 1 and 5% w/v citric acid solutions. In the second stage, combustion at 600 °C for 2 h in a muffle oven was applied. The characterization of the untreated biomasses was conducted using Inductively coupled plasma—optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), thermal analysis (TG-DTA) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The resulting ashes from the combustion step were subjected to ICP, nitrogen physisorption, Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) as well as X-ray diffraction (XRD). ICP results revealed that the SiO2 content in the ashes varies between 42.2 to 81.5 wt.% db and 53.4 to 90.8 wt.% db after acidic pre-treatment with 1 and 5 w/v% acid, respectively. The relative reductions of K2O by the citric acid in yam peel was the lowest (79 wt.% db) in comparison to 92, 97, 98 and 97 wt.% db calculated for corncob, cassava peel, coconut husk and cornhusk, respectively. XRD analysis revealed dominant crystalline phases of arcanite (K2SO4), sylvite (KCl) and calcite (CaCO3) in ashes of the biomass fuels pre-treated with 1 w/v% citric acid due to potassium and calcium ions present. In comparison, the 5 w/v% citric acid pre-treatment produced amorphous, biogenic silica with specific surface areas of up to 91 m2/g and pore volumes up to 0.21 cm3/g. The examined biomass residues are common wastes from food production in Africa without competition in usage with focus application. Our studies have highlighted a significant end-value to these wastes by the extraction of high quality, amorphous silica, which can be considered in applications such as catalyst support, construction material, concrete and backing material.

Bioactivity and Biocompatibility Properties of Sustainable Wollastonite Bioceramics from Rice Husk Ash/Rice Straw Ash: A Review

Recently, there has been an increase in interest in agricultural waste in scientific, technological, environmental, economic, and social contexts. The processing of rice husk ash/rice straw ash into biocompatible products—also known as biomaterials—used in biomedical implants is a technique that can enhance the value of agricultural waste. This method has effectively converted unprocessed agricultural waste into high-value products. Rice husk and straw are considered to be unwanted agricultural waste and are largely discarded because they pollute the environment. Because of the related components present in bone and teeth, this waste can produce wollastonite. Wollastonite is an excellent material for bone healing and implants, as well as tissue regeneration. The use of rice husk ash or rice straw ash in wollastonite production reduces the impact of agricultural waste on pollution and prompts the ensuing conversion of waste into a highly beneficial invention. The use of this agricultural waste in the fabrication of wollastonite using rice husk ash or rice straw ash was investigated in this paper. Wollastonite made from rice husk ash and rice straw ash has a fair chance of lowering the cost of bone and tooth repair and replacement, while having no environmental effects.

Eco-friendly rice husk pre-treatment for preparing biogenic silica: Gluconic acid and citric acid comparative study

Carboxylic acid leaching has been established eco-friendly pre-treatment method for producing biogenic silica (BSi) from rice husk. The most urgent issue is for carboxylic acid to promote new readily biodegradable acids and enhance carboxylic acid sustainability in BSi preparation. This research investigates gluconic acid (GA) applicability for biogenic silica preparation from rice husk compared with citric acid (CA). The results demonstrated that GA was preferable to CA on BSi recovery with 89.91% efficiency. Although GA leaching promoted slightly higher silica loss, the primary metal alkali impurities, such as K₂O, Na₂O, and Al₂O_3, were effectively removed at 92-93%, 89-93%, 95-97%, respectively. The combination effect of silica loss and high removal impurities resulted in lower rice husk thermal decomposition activation energy. The characteristics of BSi prepared by GA leaching were comparable with CA leaching, mainly mesoporous with 114.06 m²/g of specific surface area and 0.23 cm³/g of the pore volume. In addition, GA leaching was environmentally better than CA leaching, indicated by minor contribution to all environmental impact indices. The findings suggested that GA could be a potential replacement for prevalent carboxylic acids in BSi preparation.

Recent Progress of Rice Husk Reinforced Polymer Composites: A Review

Recently, because of the rising population, carbon overloading, and environmental distress, human beings have needed to increase awareness and responsibility for the reduction of agricultural waste. The utilization of agricultural waste as a filler material in reinforced polymers is a fascinating discovery. This review paper attempts to study the physical, mechanical, and thermal behavior of rice husk (RH) as a fiber for reinforcing various synthetic polymers, based on recent studies, conducted between 2017 and 2021. It also highlights that advanced modification techniques could further improve the performance of composites by tailoring the physical and chemical substances of the fiber or matrix. The thermal properties, including flame-retardance and thermal behavior, are also discussed. The characteristics of the fiber–matrix interaction between RH and the polymer matrix provide essential insights into the future-ready applications of this agricultural waste fiber. The way forward in researching RH polymer composites is finally reviewed.

Exploiting the Potential of Biosilica from Rice Husk as Porous Support for Catalytically Active Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Biomass-derived materials are put forward as eco-friendly alternatives to design heterogeneous catalysts. To contribute in this field, we explored the potential of mesoporous biogenic silica (RH-Silica) obtained from lignocellulosic waste, in particular from rice husk, as an inorganic support to prepare heterogenized iron oxide-based catalysts. Mechanochemistry, considered as a green and sustainable technique, was employed to synthetize iron oxide nanoparticles in pure hematite phase onto the biosilica (α-Fe₂O₃/RH-Silica), making this material a good candidate to perform catalyzed organic reactions. The obtained material was characterized by different techniques, and its catalytic activity was tested in the selective oxidation of styrene under microwave irradiation. α-Fe₂O₃/RH-Silica displayed a good catalytic performance, achieving a conversion of 45% under optimized conditions, and more importantly, with a total selectivity to benzaldehyde. Furthermore, a good reusability was achieved without decreasing its activity after multiple catalytic cycles. This work represents a good example of using sustainable approaches and green materials as alternatives to conventional methods in the production of high-added value products.

Recent Progress on the Development of Engineered Silica Particles Derived from Rice Husk

The development of engineered silica particles by using low-cost renewable or waste resources is a key example of sustainability. Rice husks have emerged as a renewable resource for the production of engineered silica particles as well as bioenergy. This review presents a state-of-the-art process for the development of engineered silica particles from rice husks via a bottom-up process. The first part of this review focuses on the extraction of Si from rice husks through combustion and chemical reactions. The second part details the technologies for synthesizing engineered silica particles using silicate obtained from rice husks. These include technologies for the precipitation of silica particles, the control of morphological properties, and the synthesis of ordered porous silica particles. Finally, several issues that need to be resolved before this process can be commercialized are addressed for future research.

Physicochemical Properties of Hydrated Portland Cement Blended with Rice Husk Ash

In the presence of significant quantities of carbon dioxide (CO2) and elevated temperatures in the atmosphere due to climate change, cement-based materials are susceptible to carbonation. Blended cements are more prone to carbonation attack than Portland cement. There is a need to evaluate the carbonation resistance of blended cements in a carbonation-prone environment. This paper presents experimental findings obtained from an evaluation of carbonation resistance tests on Rice Husk Ash- (RHA-) blended cement. The blended cement was made by intergrinding of Portland Cement (PC) and RHA to make the test cement (PC-RHA). The RHA dosage in the PC-RHA was varied from 0 to 30% by mass of PC. Pozzolanicity, standard consistency, and setting time tests were conducted on PC-RHA. Mortar prisms measuring 160 mm × 40 mm x 40 mm were separately cast at a water/cement ratio ( $w/c$ ) of 0.50 and 0.60 and cured in water for 2, 7, 14, 28, and 90 days. Compressive strength tests were conducted on the mortar prisms at each of the testing ages. The prepared mortars were also subjected to accelerated carbonation tests in two Relative Humidity (RH) curing regimes, one maintained at an RH greater than 90% and the other between 50–60%. Carbonation resistance of the mixtures was evaluated in terms of the changes in carbonation depth using a phenolphthalein test at the age of 7, 14, 28, and 56 days of curing in a continuous flow of CO2. Compressive strength measurements were also taken during each of the carbonation testing ages. For comparison, similar tests were conducted using commercial PC. The results showed that PC-RHA was pozzolanic while PC was nonpozzolanic. Higher water demand and longer setting times were observed in PC-RHA than in PC. Moreover, there was increased strength development in water-cured samples with increased curing duration. Carbonation results indicated that there was a marked increase in carbonation depth with increased dosage of RHA in PC-RHA binders, increased duration of exposure to CO2, and decreased RH (RH between 50–60%). PC-RHA binders exhibited lower carbonation resistance than PC. In conclusion, for mortars at any $w/c$ ratio, carbonation resistance decreased with increase in RHA dosage and increased $w/c$ ratio.

Co-Incineration of Rice Straw-Wood Pellets: A Sustainable Strategy for the Valorisation of Rice Waste

Agricultural activities produce an estimated amount of 32.7 MToe/year of residues in EU countries. They are mostly disposed in landfills, incinerated without any control, or abandoned in fields, causing severe impacts on human health and environment. Rice is one of the most consumed crops worldwide with an annual production of 782 million tons according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations database. In this context, the EU-funded project LIFE LIBERNITRATE promotes the use of renewable residual sources (i.e., rice straw) to obtain new materials with an added value. The methodology is based on the incineration of rice straw in an own-designed and constructed valorization system. Rice straw/wood pellets are burned in optimized conditions to produce a maximized quantity of ashes with high silica content. These materials will be then used to treat water polluted with nitrates, representing an optimal example of circular economy strategy. In this work, the own-designed valorization unit is described, with special focus on its main constituting elements. The theoretical study of the co-incineration of rice straw and wood pellets identified the optimised combustion conditions. Experimental tests using the theoretical inputs confirmed the most adequate operational conditions (10 g rice straw pellets/min + 10 g wood pellets/min, 6–7 Nm3/h of air, T = 500 °C) and helped in the definition of improvements on the experimental plant.

Experimental Study on Co-Firing of Coal and Brewery Wastewater Sludge

The environmental pollution and high energy consumption caused by the coal-dominated energy structure in China have been the focus of attention for a long time. The co-firing of biomass with coal can save coal resources and realize effective utilization of biomass. In this paper, brewery wastewater sludge (SD) and bituminous coal (BC) were blended for an experimental study which aimed to provide basic experimental data and operational guidance as a reference for practical application in power plants. The co-firing characteristics of sludge and bituminous coal were studied. The results show that the burnout temperature and ignition temperature decrease with an increase in the sludge blending ratio. The Comprehensive Combustion Index (CCI) first rises, then decreases, reaching a maximum at about 15%. Compared with the atmosphere with 79% N2/21% O2, under the 79% CO2/21% O2 atmosphere, ignition is delayed and the burnout temperature is higher. Under an O2/CO2 atmosphere, as the O2 concentration improves, the thermo-gravimetric (TG) curve shifts to the low-temperature region, the burnout temperature drops significantly, and the comprehensive combustion characteristics are improved. With an increment of the heating rate, the curve of TG analysis shifts to the high-temperature region and the CCI increases. This study could provide helpful information on practical blending in coal-fired power plants for energy savings and emission reductions.

Harvest Age Effect on Phytochemical Content of White and Black Glutinous Rice Cultivars

Many studies have been conducted on the bioactive compounds of rice seeds, however, there is limited information on the bioactive compounds of rice sprouts. This study focused on the age effect on the phytochemical content of white and black glutinous rice sprouts harvested between 5 and 25 days old. We assessed yield, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, total anthocyanin content, total chlorophyll content, and proximate analysis. HPLC results identified protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, and rutin in the sprouts of both cultivars, ranging between 0.56–1.58, 0.65–7.69, and 0.47–1.68 mg/g extract, respectively. The amount of bioactive compounds and proximate compositions in black glutinous rice were generally higher than white glutinous rice in an age-dependent manner (p < 0.05). At 5–7 days, black glutinous rice contained the highest total anthocyanin content, while white glutinous rice contained the highest total phenolic content and total flavonoid content (p < 0.05). High total chlorophyll content was initially detected in white glutinous rice at a younger age than black glutinous rice (p < 0.05), while total chlorophyll content in both cultivars was not significantly different. Our study confirms the presence of phytoconstituents in the rice sprouts of white and black glutinous rice and their potential as functional foods and for being further development as natural health products.

Potential of Rice Industry Biomass as a Renewable Energy Source

Fossil fuel depletion, along with its ever-increasing price and detrimental impact on the environment, has urged researchers to look for alternative renewable energy. Of all the options available, biomass presents a very reliable source due to its never-ending supply. As research on various biomasses has grown in recent years, waste from these biomasses has also increased, and it is now time to shift the focus to utilizing these wastes for energy. The current waste management system mainly focuses on open burning and soil incorporation as it is cost-effective; however, these affect the environment. There must be an alternative way, such as to use it for power generation. Rice straw and rice husk are examples of such potential biomass waste. Rice is the main food source for the world, mostly in Asian regions, as most people consume rice daily. This paper reviews factors that impact the implementation of rice-straw-based power plants. Ash content and moisture content are important properties that govern combustion, and these vary with location. Logistical improvements are required to reduce the transport cost of rice husk and rice straw, which is higher than the transportation cost of coal.