Energy Potential and Fuel Quality of Biomass from Selected Rice Varieties in India

Rice straw is a widely available agricultural residue, but differences in its physicochemical composition can affect its suitability for energy production. This study assessed the fuel quality and energy potential of straw from 16 selected rice varieties in India. Swarna rice straw was characterised experimentally, whereas corresponding data for 15 other varieties were obtained from published studies. Swarna samples were sun-dried, ground and sieved before proximate and ultimate analyses and higher heating value (HHV) determination using an oxygen bomb calorimeter. The compiled data were compared descriptively because differences in data sources and analytical conditions precluded reliable inferential testing. Across the selected varieties, moisture content ranged from 5.12% to 11.04%, ash content from 8.98% to 22.16%, volatile matter from 63.54% to 75.69%, fixed carbon from 6.36% to 18.18%, and HHV from 11.46 to 22.98 MJ kg⁻¹. Swarna exhibited a moisture content of 5.12%, ash content of 10.90%, fixed carbon content of 18.18% and HHV of 15.05 MJ kg⁻¹. Nabina recorded the highest reported HHV, whereas Maudamani recorded the lowest. The combination of low moisture, moderate ash and relatively high fixed carbon indicates that Swarna merits further evaluation as a solid biofuel feedstock. However, these findings represent preliminary fuel-quality screening rather than a definitive ranking of varieties. Standardised comparative testing and conversion experiments are needed to assess practical performance.