Abstract

Results of the studies on thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of raw and IN HCI acid treated ground paddy straw revealed that thermal degradation takes place in three main stages of mass loss, namely (1) removal of moisture (2) removal of volatile matter and (3) oxidation of fixed carbon. The rate of removal of volatile matter was faster in the untreated sample than that in the acid treated sample. But the rate of removal of fixed carbon was faster in acid treated paddy straw than that untreated paddy straw. Temperatures of above 340 and 3750C are required to remove fixed carbon from raw and IN HCI treated paddy straw to get amorphous silica. Hydrochloric acid leaching of paddy straw at 750C for one hour prior to combustion is necessary for production of ash of milky white colour.

Keywords: Paddy Straw, Thermogravimetric Analysis, Ash. Silica