Bioenergy potential of different varieties of paddy straw biomass

Pyrolysis is one of the principal routes for production of biogas, bio-oils, and biochar. The current investigation included three popular paddy varieties of different maturity duration to find out the effect of maturity duration on kinetic parameters. The average value of cellulose was found to be 33.85 %, volatiles 65.62 % and HHV 15.79 MJ/kg. The average values of activation energy (Eα) were higher for medium (196.97 kJ/mol) and mid early (181.41 kJ/mol) varieties compared to late duration (174.93 kJ/mol) varieties. The Aα values of 1012–1015, 1012–1015, 1013–1015 and 1013–1015 was recorded under OFW, KAS, S and T models, respectively for the late duration variety. The A values were found to be as high as 1022 under different models for other two varieties. From the Coats-Redfern and master plot (Z-α) analysis, D4 and D3 diffusion models were found as the best fit models. [Display omitted] •The first study on pyrolysis behaviour of paddy straw belonging to different maturity groups.•The cellulose level varied as 32.72 to 34.72 % across the varieties.•The activation energies values of the three varieties of paddy straw ranged from 174.93 kJ/mol to 196.97 kJ/mol.•The maximum value of the pre-exponential coefficient was 2.11 × 1023 for Gouri under Tang (T) method.•The paddy straw of late duration variety Mahalaxmi was identified as a better feedstock for bioenergy.