Not Reacted Core Model Applied in Palm Nut Shell Pyrolysis

Abstract

One of the main sources of activated carbon is biomass which can be transformed into char by pyrolysis. Apart from the obtaining coal, the pyrolysis of biomass can be used for the preparation of fuels, and this is why it is very important to determine its kinetic parameters for modelling. In the present research, the pyrolysis enthalpy of palm nut shells (Elaeis guineensis) was determined with the use of a differential scanning calorimetry study (DSC). To determine the kinetic parameters, the Not Reacted Core model was employed. This model considers that there is a heat and mass gradient between the furnace atmosphere and the interface formed during pyrolysis. To obtain the required data for the model, palm nut shells were submitted to pyrolysis in a Nichols furnace under reducing atmosphere. Samples were taken every 10 minutes to calculate char conversion. The experimental pyrolysis enthalpy resulted to be 301.81 J/g and then the monomeric units of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin were employed in order to determine the pyrolysis enthalpy per mole. The three biopolymers react with different mechanisms at different temperatures. The molecular weight resulted to be 172.38 g/mole, and the enthalpy for pyrolysis was 52.03 kJ/mol. For the application of the Not Reacted Core model, the amorphous char heat transfer coefficient was selected, and the value is 1.6 J/s·m·K. The reaction rate constant was 6.64 × 10−9 1/s assuming a first-order reaction, whereas the effective diffusion across the char layer was 4.83 × 10−7 m2/s.