The use of biomass for energy generation is a promising alternative due to its potential to satisfy environmental compatibility. Rice is one of the world's most important food crops. Processing of paddy leads to the generation of crop and agroindustrial wastes, which are voluminous and difficult to handle. By upgrading this biomass into a uniform compressed fuel, namely pellets or briquettes, its density increases, improving the storage, transportation, and combustion characteristics. In this study, densification characteristics of Brazilian rice husks were studied using a laboratory compactor, Hosokowa Bepex, Type L200/50GpK, for the production of pellets. Experiments showed that their bulk density in raw form increased 6.3 times. The effects of different particle sizes (rice husks milled with 2 mm, 4 mm, and 6 mm sieve meshes) and moisture contents (17%, 19%, and 20%) on the durability of the rice husk pellets were assessed. It was concluded that rice husk pellets with 17% water content and made of raw material ground with 2 mm, 4 mm, and 6 mm sieves are durable and stable and comply with the standard quality values of agricultural pellets as specified in Agro and Agro+. Biomass conversion technologies, using pellets, might facilitate the development of decentralized energy systems in rural areas. Nevertheless, in order to be deployed in an efficient and responsible way, economic, technical, environmental, and social aspects over the whole supply chain should also be taken into consideration. ' MATERIALS AND METHODSThe rice husks used for the experiments were collected, stored, and dried during the months of May and June, 2008 in the Federal State of Minas Gerais, Brazil before their transportation to the laboratory facilities in Cottbus, Germany.Particle Size Distribution and Moisture Content of Rice Husks. Prior to pelleting, biomass can be milled to a specific particle size. The milling partially breaks down the lignin, increases the specific surface area of the material, and improves binding. 5 The rice husks were

-The issue of energy consumption is one of the issues that have significantly become recognized as an important topic of global discourse. Fossil fuels production reportedly experiencing a gradual depletion in the oil-producing nations of the world. Most studies have relatively focused on biofuel development and adoption, however, the awareness of a prospect in the commercial cultivation of algae having potential to create economic boost in Nigeria, inspired this research. This study aims at exploring the potential of the commercialization of a different but commonly found organism, algae, in Nigeria. Here, parameters such as; water quality, light, carbon, average temperature required for the growth of algae, and additional beneficial nutrients found in algae were analysed. A comparative cum qualitative review of analysis was used as the study made use of empirical findings on the work as well as the author's deductions. The research explored the cultivation of algae with the two major seasonal differences (i.e. rainy and dry) in Nigeria as a backdrop. The results indicated that there was no significant difference in the contribution of algae and other sources of biofuels as a necessity for bioenergy in Nigeria. However, for an effective sustainability of this prospect, adequate measures need to be put in place in form of funding, provision of an economically-enabling environment for the cultivation process as well as proper healthcare service in the face of possible health hazard from technological processes. Further studies can seek to expand on the potential of cultivating algae in the Harmattan season.

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