Johnny LaRue
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Registered: 12-2007
Location: tending the stove in Hyogo
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Biofuel idea
I think this would be a good idea for a business. With the maki-stove boom a lot of people in and on the edge of the urban areas need clean, convenient fuel.
This machine can turn rice husks and sawdust into large briquettes. Both of these materials are readily available in the inaka. I've been thinking of this for some time but don't think it would be as profitable as teaching.
Ususally these machines cost 50-100k USD. This one is a bargain at 12,000 pounds.
The problems are many, mainly the weight and distribution of the product. You'd be dealing in tons.
Green wood can be bought for around 一万円 per ton, or so I've heard.
Any input would be appreciated.
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12/31/2007, 10:57 am
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KenElwood
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Location: Nobi-Plain, Suzuka Mountains
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Re: Biofuel idea
quote:
Johnny LaRue wrote:
I think this would be a good idea for a business. With the maki-stove boom a lot of people in and on the edge of the urban areas need clean, convenient fuel.
This machine can turn rice husks and sawdust into large briquettes. Both of these materials are readily available in the inaka. I've been thinking of this for some time but don't think it would be as profitable as teaching.
Ususally these machines cost 50-100k USD. This one is a bargain at 12,000 pounds.
The problems are many, mainly the weight and distribution of the product. You'd be dealing in tons.
Green wood can be bought for around 一万円 per ton, or so I've heard.
Any input would be appreciated.
Hey JohnE,
That's an expensive machine but maybe a good investment nevertheless. If the byproduct used for making the briquettes is local and the market for the briquettes is a local one, then everything (production, distribution, etc) could possibly be done by yourself on the cheap.
Last edited by KenElwood, 1/5/2008, 11:44 pm
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1/5/2008, 11:32 pm
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Johnny LaRue
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Re: Biofuel idea
Yes, all the raw material would be local. You know how you see piles of husks and rice germ building up in springtime. Not all is used, most of it burned, ala with a chimney stuck into a pile, creating air pollution. What I worry about is the expenditure of fuel driving around sourcing these bulky materials. That's a lot of diesel. And competing with 一万円/ton wood would be rough.
But if your competition is this,
http://www.dutchwest.co.jp/items/briquet/index.html
They're actually importing this stuff. It would cost 十万円/ton . Looks like it's geared towards the kissaten/retiree etc..
It would be best to co-op this business to share start-up costs. There are some cheaper Indian and Chinese machines out there though. Unfortunately anything smaller would only be suitable for self use.
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1/8/2008, 7:56 am
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