Abstract
Pyrolysis behavior of ionic liquid (IL) pretreated coal and sugarcane bagasse (SCB) blends through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was studied. Three blends of coal and SCB having 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3 ratios by weight were treated with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Emim][Cl]) at 150 °C for 3 h. Untreated and IL treated blends were then analyzed under pyrolytic conditions in a TGA at a constant ramp rate of 20 °C/min. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were evaluated using ten Coats-Redfern (CR) models to assess reaction mechanism. Results showed that the untreated blends followed a definite pattern and were proportional to the concentration of SCB in the blends. IL treated blends exhibited a higher average rate of degradation and total weight loss, indicating that IL had disrupted the cross-linking structure of coal and lignocellulosic structure of SCB. This will enhance the energy generation potential of biomass through thermochemical conversion processes. The lower activation energy (Ea) was calculated for IL treated blends, revealing facile thermal decomposition after IL treatment. Thermodynamic parameters, enthalpy change (ΔH), Gibbs free energy change (ΔG), and entropy change (ΔS), revealed that the pyrolysis reactions were endothermic. This study would help in designing optimized thermochemical conversion systems for energy generation.
Highlights
Climate change and global warming strongly impact the worldwide energy policy, and this trend will continue for the foreseeable future [1]
The results suggest that ionic liquid (IL) treatment affects the properties of coal-rich blend more than vice versa
The comparison of the results with our recent study in which blends having same composition were treated with phosphonium based IL (Trihexyltetradecylphosphonium Chloride ([P66614] [Cl]) indicated contrasting results [24]. [P66614] [Cl] increased volatile matter (VM) and decreased fixed carbon (FC) appreciably while ash was lowered, suggesting nature of cation plays a vital part in the overall behavior of IL
Summary
Climate change and global warming strongly impact the worldwide energy policy, and this trend will continue for the foreseeable future [1]. The circular economy is catching the interest of policymakers at a rapid pace to target sustainable development goals. The circular economy is only 9% of the world’s economy. This figure is likely to change dramatically in the 10–15 years due to numerous global commitments. There is a need to develop rapid policy decisions such as providing guidelines for specific sectors, promoting circular economy culture, mapping related jobs and skills, facilitating collaborating with industries and research centers, and fostering capacity building to accelerate circular economy. For a developing country like Pakistan, reliance on imported oil for electricity generation is unsustainable. Bioenergy is one of the main contributors to the circular economy as it can lead to cheaper electricity, heat, and chemical generation. Sugarcane bagasse (SCB), residual waste of processed sugarcane, can be an extremely viable bioenergy source [2]
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