Performance analysis of bio-fuel blends for clean energy production: Thermogravimetric analysis

Abstract

Use of local Lignite as a fuel for clean energy generation play an increasingly important role in the domestic industry. Lignite is considered as the lowest rank of coal because of its comparatively low carbon content, high volatile and sulphur contents. The thermal and kinetics characteristics of lignite and rice husk and their blends (in different ratios) were evaluated by using iso-thermal and non-isothermal conditions. Therefore, it was challenging to use lignite separately as fuel. Keeping this situation in context, the thermal behaviour of lignite, rice husk, and their blends throughout pyrolysis and combustion procedures, was examined for their possible usage as a sustainable, substitute and clean energy resource. The experiments were conducted at a heating rate of 40 °C/min, from room temperature to 950 °C. The de-volatilisation of rice husk happened earlier in oxygen-enriched circumstances. Besides, these blends presented diverse ignition performance in different atmospheres. The kinetic factors of the blends established enhanced ignition features, by analysing the thermo-gravimetric results. The activation energy showed that the blend has a significant amount of energy, which is suitable for the industrial combustion process. It was also shown that PL50%-LRH50% have the extreme retention time, activation energy, carbon contents, calorific value and low volatile and Ash contents, as compared to the other blends, which concluded that this combination is the finest blend for the clean production of energy.