Abu sekam padi (rice husk ash)

Peeling process of rice grains releases rice hush as solid waste. Rice husk contains 15% weight of ash after burning process. The rice hush ash contains high silica content up to 96.25% through pyrolysis process is available in local market. Rice husk ash is well known as abu sekam padi.

Fig. Rice husk ash

(Courtesy of Anzettama, 2012)

Rice husk ash has many possible applications such as raw material of silicon carbide whiskers for cutting tool reinforcement. Traditional application of rice hush ash includes as concrete, ceramic and brick filler. Other application of silica fume replacement, chemical absorbent, insulation powder, or dry release agent in ceramic industry are also reported. Rice hush ash is also potentially processed to become raw material of natrium silicate through spouted bed reactor.

Rice husk ash was also studied to be employed in soil stabilization of expansive soil. Other researcher also reported rice husk ash role in combination with carbonate rock to stabilize fibrous peat for road foundation. Lime rock at amount 30% weight in its mixture with rice husk ash optimally further applied with peat at proportion of 10 : 90 in percentage by weight.