Abstract
Acid, base and/or water treatments expand biomass utilisation by reducing ash contents and improving energy density and higher heating values. Dilute acid treatment results in negative impacts on the physiochemical structure of biomass. This study aimed to analyse the effects of hydrofluoric (HF) acid (5% w/w) on the morphological and chemical structure of Wheat Straw (WS), Cotton Stalk (CS) and Rice Husk (RH). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) exposed physical changes after treatment, and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to evaluate the changes in available functional groups in the composition of biomass samples. Dilute HF resulted in pronounced changes in morphology and chemical functional groups of all biomasses. Proximate analysis showed carbonaceous material is also affected; the increment in volatiles (9.27%, 7.7% and 6.9% for RH, WS and CS, respectively) and fixed carbon was observed while ash contents reduced. Furthermore, the influence of all samples on the thermal processing of biomass is compared.
 Keywords: biomasses, acidic pretreatment, ash contents, morphology, aromaticity
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
