Thermal decomposition of antibiotic mycelial fermentation residues in Ar, air, and CO2–N2 atmospheres by TG-FTIR method

Abstract

This study investigated the characteristics of antibiotic mycelial fermentation residues (AMFRs) during the thermochemical process by using thermogravimetric coupled with fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG-FTIR) under different atmospheres (Ar, air, and a mixture of CO2–N2 gas) to analyze the effects of different atmospheric gases on thermal decomposition and the gaseous products. Results indicated the specific conditions for the three stages of thermal decomposition and exhibited the variation of main evolving gaseous products (CH4, CO, CO2, and NH3) in the different atmospheres. The thermal decomposition in Ar involved pyrolysis, whereas that in air involved combustion. The mixture of CO2–N2 gas exhibited pyrolysis at low temperatures, and CO2 as a gasification agent caused gasification at high temperatures. The characteristics of thermal decomposition in the different atmospheres varied and showed unique advantages. This study could serve as a theoretical basis for using the different thermochemical technologies to dispose AMFRs and possibly to control pollutants.