North Korea to produce electricity from rice husk

PYONGYANG (Itar-Tass) - North Korea has designed a
facility to produce electricity from rice husk, popular Pyongyang Sinmun
newspaper reported on Friday saying scientists of the Heat Technology
Research Institute "brilliantly coped" with the assignment of Kim Jong Il.
The newspaper said the Institute designed a gas-generating system that
is fit for fuel qualities of rice husk, which the country has in
abundance. It comprises a gas-generating furnace, cooling and filtration
systems, and other "simple devices" to produce electricity. Flammable gas
is produced due to thermal processing of husk and is then fired to rotate
a turbine.
The facility burns 100 kilograms of husk in an hour and can produce 50
kW of electricity.
The scientists "by their valuable achievements have contributed to
increased production and living standards of the people and set a major
goal for themselves to introduce the new rice husk gas-fired electricity
generating systems across the whole country," the newspaper said.
Experts believe the invention is of major significance for North Korea
that experiences a sharp shortage of electricity.