This study was focused on investigating the optimum fluidising velocity during the combustion of rice husk in a bench-scale fluidised bed combustor (ID 210 mm) to obtain low carbon ash in the amorphous form. When all other parameters are held constant, the optimum fluidizing velocity aids in almost complete combustion, thereby releasing the entrapped carbon for further conversion. This results in ash with consistently low carbon content (less than 2 wt%). The range of fluidising velocities investigated was from as low as 1.5 U-mf to as high as 8 U-mf. It was found that the optimum fluidising velocity was approximately 3.3 U-mf as the mixing of rice husk with the bed was good with a high degree of penetration into the sand bed. The resulting ash retained its amorphous form with low residual carbon content (at 2.88 wt%) and minimal sand contamination as shown by the X-ray diffraction analysis. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.