Abstract
Thermal decomposition of biomass in controlled environment produces bio-oil, which can serve as an alternative to diesel and gasoline. Alongwith bio-oil, the by-product char is also produced which affects the yield of bio-oil. Hence the present work is focused to the control the amount of char by varying the heat regulation rate and different chemical and microwave pretreatments of the biomass (rice husk). Extract of the treated biomass, biomass samples and the char was studied in different characterization techniques, such as Thermo Gravimetry (TGA), Thermal Differential Analysis (DTA), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Elemental Analyser (CHNS), Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma (ICP). Thermal analysis showed the rate of weight loss was high at higher heating rates. Two different degradation temperatures were observed for Cellulose and lignin in biomass which was not disturbed by acid treatment, representing no significant loss in cellulose and hemicellulose structure, while alkali treated sample approached to a unique temperature representing significant loss/removal of lignin and some portion of hemicellulose/cellulose. Microwave treatment resulted in the cleavage of glycosidic linkage of cellulose resulting in monosaccharides, xylose, and other sugar forms.
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