Thermogravimetric analysis with gas chromatograph mass spectrometry of Japanese fir wood (Abies sachalinensis) in helium with or without steam–oxygen

Abstract

Thermal properties of a kind of Japanese fir wood (Abies sachalinensis) were thermogravimetrically analyzed and produced compounds were gas chromatograph mass spectrometrically analyzed for basic study of biomass gasification. Atmosphere during each analysis was controlled to be helium alone or helium with steam–oxygen. Compounds identified in this series of measurements were roughly classified into three groups: (a) phenol and its derivatives, (b) oxygenated cyclic compounds, and (c) oxygenated compounds of low molecule. Their production rates were dependent on both temperature and atmosphere, which well explained high carbon conversion rate from feedstock to gas of advanced gasification technologies, such as entrained-flow type gasification, and high yields of solid and liquid residues of traditional gasification technologies, such as fixed-bed type gasification.