Thermogravimetric kinetic analysis of Nannochloropsis oculata combustion in air atmosphere

Abstract

The thermal behavior of Nannochloropsis oculata combustion in air atmosphere were investigated by performing experiments on STA PT1600 Thermal Analyzer at heating rates of 10°C/min, 40°C/min and 70°C/min and range of temperatures from room temperature to 1200°C. The kinetic parameters were evaluated by using Kissinger and Ozawa methods. The result showed that Nannochloropsis oculata combustion occurred in five stages. Started with initial devolatilization, the main thermal decomposition and combustion process, transition stage, the combustion of char and the last stage was the slow burning reaction of residual char. In line with increasing heating rate, the mass loss rate increased as well, but it delayed the thermal decomposition processes toward higher temperatures. The average activation energy at the main thermal decomposition stage and the stage of char combustion were approximately 251 kJ/mol and 178 kJ/mol, respectively.