The land area of Myanmer is 690,00 km2 (1.8 times as large as Japan), and it is the larges country in the continental South-East Asia. Its population is 52 million, and its climate belongs to tropical monsoon except northern region. Thus, its nature, biosystem, and biodiversity is unique and precious. Myanmer also enjoys plentiful resources such as rice, forestry resources, and mineral resources. About 70% of the working population belong to agricultural sector and occupies 60% of GDP, and industrial sector contributes to GDP by only 10%. Politically, after the World War II, the democratic system was achieved for a while, but the National Congress was ceased by the Coup d’etat in 1996, and the nation in under military administration since then. It is politically unclear, and economic problems remains, thus being one of the poorest country in the world. There are no laws enforced related with biomass, but all residue is used because of the lack in material and fuel. Mill residue is used as fuel, and livestock and food waste is used as fertilizer, leaving no residue. In a sense, biomass utilization is well made due to the poverty society.

Two interesting examples in terms of rice husk utilization were found during the onsite inspection. Electricity shortage, incomplete infrastructure, and shortage in fossil fuel resulted in employment of rice-husk steam boiler and steam piston engines (made in Germany, 1925) were driving the rice-cleaners (about 600 places). However, the thermal efficiency of the steam boiler is very low, and consumption of the rice husk is large, the number is decreasing.

Another example is the driving of small-scale rice cleaners by rice-husk gasifier and gas engine, which is spreading recently. All the gasifiers are domestic, and of the down-draft type. The rice husk is supplied from the top, and the ash is removed from the bottom. The other elements are combination of water scrubber, filter, and gas engine, and the product of Myanmar. Second-hand Japanese diesel engines (bus and truck) are modified to gas engines by exchanging injection nozzle with ignition plug. The output of the most gasifiers is 20-50 kW. Typically, 20 kW is produced by rice husk supply of 30 kg/h. About 100 of this type of gasification and power generation system were used in 2000, and it is estimated that 300 were used in 2005. The gasifier-power generation plant produced by the company under the Ministry of Commerce, Myanmar has electric output capacity of 140-160 kW. The system is equipped with a down-draft gasifier, water-cooling jacket at the bottom section of the furnace, and ash removal system. The product gas is washed with a water scrubber and stored in a gas tank before being supplied to the gas engine. The pamphlet says that this system is sold at about 350 kJPY (The prices of commodities is 1/100 of that in Japan). The composition of the product gas is shown in Table 7.3.1.

Table 7.3.1 The composition of the gas produced from rice husk.

Production of the gasifier is conducted in a ironworks with several employees, but standardization of the parts is made, and they have some stocks of the parts. Myanmar still has many regulations, and biomass and other residues are needed to be used due to the lack in commodities and fuels. Bagasse produced from the sugar mills are used for self power generation. Rice husk and charcoals are used for various purposes, and no residues are available. One of the private rice mills strongly desired to improve the rice husk boiler and steam engine to achieve higher efficiencies.

Recently, private rice mills are gradually getting busy due to the policy of liberating the economy, although it is for the limited area. The shortage in electricity and fossil fuels will continue, and it is expected that the small-scale gasifier and gas engine system will be used
more and more for driving rice mill and other devices. Presently, production and introduction of biofuels are not yet made, but Myanmar has a large area and good climate and possesses high potential of producing forest resources and plantation crops. In long term, potential to produce bioethanol and biodiesel is as promissing as Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

The proper form of biomass utilization differs from case to case depending on the natural, social, and economic conditions, and thus elaborate planning is needed. To collect the latest information for this purpose, collaboration office between universities and other sectors is desirable. This kind of collaborative network among university, academic organization, NPO, and international organization will encourage the utilization of small-scale biomass.

Myanmar is a Buddhist country has a high level of education (the rate of school attendance: 96.56%, the literacy rate: 93.3%). The economic development may be late among ASEAN countries, but for its development foreign universities and academic organizations can be a large help.

Further information

Myanmar Ministry of Information. Myanmar: Building a Modern State(2004)

Myat Thein. Economic development of Myanmar, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapole(2004)

San San Rice Husk Gasifier. San San Cooperative Ltd., No. 279, Shwegondine Road. BahanTownship, Yangon, Myanmar(2005)

The paddy husk gas generating plant. Myanmar Agricultural Produce Trading(MAPT). Ministry of Commerce, Yangon Division, Mingalartaungnyunt Township, Yangon(2003)

Makoto Hoki, Hideto Mashimo, “Tonan Ajia shokokuni okeru baiomasu riyono doko”, J. Jpn. Inst. Energy, submitted. (in Japanese)

United Nations, Statistic Division, “Sekai tokei nenkan”, Hara Shobo (2005). (in Japanese)

Shin-ichi Yano, “Ajiani okeru bioennryo seisan riyono tenboto sansokendeno seizo gijutu kaihatsu”, Kankyo Gijutsu, 36(12), 7-12 (2007). (in Japanese)