Kinetic parameters and calorific value of biochar from mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King) wood pyrolysis with heating rate and final temperature variations

Abstract

Bio-Char was the solid product from pyrolysis and one of its important parameter was calorific value. Bio-char with high calorific value was yielded by a pyrolysis process with variation of heating rate and final temperature. The determination of kinetic parameter was also studied to get the proper conditions where the pyrolysis became easier to occur. The heating rate variations of pyrolysis were 10°C /min, 30°C/min and 60°C/min while the final temperatures were 350°C, 450°C, 500°C and 600°C. Mahogany wood was pyrolyzed with slow pyrolysis method in a batch reactor. It was found that activation energy became higher with the increase of heating rate and final temperature so the decomposition reaction will be more difficult. The calorific value of bio-char increased in the higher heating rate and also in the higher final temperature. The highest calorific value of biochar was 7512.96 cal/g and yielded in heating rate of 60°C/min with final temperature of 450°C. From all of the conditions performed, it was found that the calorific value of bio-char was higher than its raw material. Biochar, pyrolysis, Mahogany wood, calorific value.