Proximate Characterization of Paddy Stalk as a Potential Feedstock for Briquette Production
Pranali Bharatkumar Dahihande *
Department of Processing and Food Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka. India.
Sharanagouda Hiregoudar
Department of Processing and Food Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka. India.
Udaykumar Nidoni
Department of Processing and Food Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka. India.
Ramappa K. T.
Department of Processing and Food Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka. India.
Sushilendra
Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka. India.
Vijaykumar Palled
Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka. India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Paddy stalk generated during pre-cleaning operations in rice mills is frequently discarded through open burning, although it may serve as a renewable biomass resource. This study characterised the physicochemical and thermal properties of paddy stalk to assess its potential suitability as a feedstock for briquette production. Clean paddy stalk collected from a rice mill in Raichur, Karnataka, was ground, sieved, and analysed in triplicate. Moisture content, volatile matter, ash content, and fixed carbon were determined using relevant ASTM procedures, while calorific value was measured using a bomb calorimeter. The paddy stalk contained 9.38 ± 0.16% moisture, 69.42 ± 1.62% volatile matter, 13.80 ± 0.45% ash, and 7.40 ± 1.85% fixed carbon. Its calorific value was 14.12 ± 0.06 MJ kg⁻¹. The relatively high volatile matter content indicates favourable ignition and devolatilisation characteristics, whereas the measured fixed carbon contributes to sustained char combustion. The moisture content was within a range that may support thermal conversion, while the ash fraction represents a practical consideration for fuel use. Collectively, the measured properties indicate that paddy stalk has potential for use in densified biomass fuel and other thermochemical conversion applications. However, the present findings are based on laboratory-scale characterisation, and validation through briquette production, durability assessment, and combustion-performance testing is required before practical or commercial adoption.
Keywords: Paddy stalk, agricultural residue, proximate analysis, calorific value, biomass characterisation