Kinetic analysis of Malaysia type biomasses via thermogravimetric analyser (TGA)

Abstract

The kinetic behaviour of biomass pyrolysis samples was successfully studied via thermogravimetric analysis. The biomass samples were empty fruit bunch, oil palm trunk, rice husk, coconut copra, sawdust, coconut shell, sugarcane bagasse, and wood bark. The analysis was performed in a nitrogen atmosphere from 30 to 700°C. The effect of heating rate on kinetic behaviour of biomass at two different high heating rates was evaluated at 40°C/min (HR1) and 80°C/min (HR2). The kinetic parameters of biomass samples such as pre-exponential factor (s-1), activation energy (kJ/mol), and reaction order (n) were determined using one-step global kinetic model. The wood bark sample has the lowest activation energy (38.14 kJ/mol), while coconut copra was reported for the highest activation energy (145.42 kJ/mol). High positive activation energy was achieved at a higher heating rate (HR2) than at lower heating rate (HR1) for biomass samples.