Combustion studies of Agnihotra Yajnya

Abstract

Agnihotra is a traditional domestic solemnity, performed to maintain harmony between living beings and nature, without harming and by giving respect. Agnihotra, the simplest forms of yajnya performed at sunset/ sunrise in which cow dung is burnt in the copper pot by using cow ghee (clarified butter) and brown rice as oblations along with chanting of mantras of sun and fire. Combustion studies of Agnihotra raw material was done with the analysis of fuel gases using Orsat Analyzer, proximate analysis by Proximate Analyzer, ultimate analysis by CHONS Analyzer and calorific value estimation by using Bomb Calorimeter. Combustion rate was analyzed of by Thermogravimetry Differential Scanning Calorimeter. The fuel analysis of Agnihotra raw material shows incomplete combustion with low calorific value. As raw material is mainly lignocellulosic, combustion takes place with four major steps. Initially Moisture and Volatile Matter get combusted then Cellulose and Hemicellulose material then Lignin compounds and finally Char.