Thermal Decomposition and Kinetic Parameters of Three Biomass Feedstocks for the Performance of the Gasification Process Using a Thermogravimetric Analyzer

Rania Almusafir and Joseph D. Smith ()
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Rania Almusafir: Linda and Bipin Doshi Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 1101 N. State St., Rolla, MO 65401, USA
Joseph D. Smith: Linda and Bipin Doshi Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 1101 N. State St., Rolla, MO 65401, USA

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 2, 1-15

Abstract: Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is a powerful technique and useful method for characterizing biomass as a non-conventional fuel. A TGA apparatus has been utilized to experimentally investigate the impact of biomass feedstock diversity on the performance of the gasification of hardwood (HW), softwood (SW) pellets, and refuse-derived fuel (RDF) materials. The solid conversion rate and the volatile species formation rate have been estimated to quantify the rates of devolatilization for each material. In addition, the combustion kinetic characteristics of the three biomass feedstocks were investigated using TGA at different heating rates, and a thermal kinetic analysis was conducted to describe the gasification process. Therefore, the kinetic parameters have been evaluated for different thermal reactions and non-isothermal kinetic models that depend on the relationships between heating rates and temperature profiles. The results show that the amount of tar content from the RDF was higher than that of pure hardwood and softwood feedstocks. Hence, tar removal must be part of any process using syngas produced from RDF feedstocks in a gas engine to produce electricity.

Keywords: biomass gasification; thermogravimetric analysis; wood pellets; refuse-derived fuel (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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