Devolatilization Kinetics of Miscanthus Straw from Thermogravimetric Analysis

Abstract

The thermal degradation, reactivity, emission characteristics, and kinetics of Miscanthus straw under inert atmosphere were studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) at different heating rates. The thermal decomposition of Miscanthus straw occurs within a temperature ranging between 180°C and 600°C. Miscanthus has the highest reactivity compared to different agriculture residues tested in the same sequence. Assuming the addition of three independent parallel reactions corresponding to three pseudocomponents linked to the hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin, three-pseudocomponent models were used to simulate the Miscanthus straw devolatilization. The presented data may have a contribution in developing energy recovery systems using Miscanthus straw as a feedstock.

Keywords:

• Energy crops
• Miscanthus straw
• Thermal analysis
• Devolatilization kinetics
• Three-pseudocomponent model

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Authors acknowledge the Alsace Regional Council for supporting research in the Laboratoire Gestion des Risques et Environnement and NOVABIOM-France for supplying Miscanthus straw.