Comparative thermal analysis of coal fuels, biomass, fly ash and polyamide

Abstract

The paper presents a tally of the results of thermal analysis TG/DTG/DSC of selected fuels (hard coal, agro biomass and forest biomass), waste (coal sludge, fly ash), quartz sand with the organic material, and recyclate of polyamide PA6. The materials differ in composition and calorific values. The aim of the study was a complex comparative analysis of the tested materials inthe scope of potential use of coal fuels, biomass and coal waste to create polymer composites, as well as thermal co-utilization of polymer waste, and energy recovery from plastic waste. The thermal analysis permits to illustrate the change of a sample mass and to obtain information at what temperature ranges these changes occur. It also enables to notice whether any changes related to heat absorption or release take place in the tested substance, as well as identify exothermic and endothermic effects during thermal process.The authors stated that the changes of values on the DSC, TG and DTG curves of the tested materials during the thermal process result mainly from their primary composition. The analyzed quartz sand with organic substance, and fly ash, show the lowest exothermic effects in the air atmosphere, in contrast to other tested materials, due to low carbon content and volatiles matter. Among the considered fuels: hard coal, coal sludge, biomass, coal has the highest carbon content and calorific value, which is reflected in the maximum DSC values.