Thermogravimetric and mass spectrometric (TG-MS) analysis and kinetics of coal-biomass blends

Abstract

In this research, thermogravimetric and mass-spectrometric (TG-MS) analysis and kinetics of coal-biomass blends (25, 50 and 75 wt%) was studied. All the experiments were performed at 20 °C/min. heating rate and under air atmosphere. The reaction regions, peak and burn-out temperatures, mass loss, maximum mass loss rate, combustion index and residue of the samples was determined. This research also focused on the main volatile products release, such as H2, O2, CO, CO2 and hydrocarbons from coal-biomass blends combustion on the basis of both their relative intensities across the temperature range 150–750 °C and on their relevancy. The major release of COS is observed in decomposition stage, whereas significant SO2 release is noticed from combustion. When the percentage of biomass is increases in the coal-biomass blends, maximum rate of mass loss increases indicating the higher reactivity of the samples. The kinetic parameters of the coal-biomass blends were calculated using two different methods (Arrhenius and Coats & Redfern). The activation energy and Arrhenius constant values were increased with the increasing biomass ratio in the blends.