Pyrolysis of Biomass from Sustainable Energy Plantations: Effect of Mineral Matter Reduction on Kinetics and Charcoal Pore Structure

Abstract

The effect of reducing mineral matter naturally present in sawdust from untreated poplar (Populus deltoide) wood and giant reed (Arundo donax) canes on pyrolysis kinetics was examined from comparative non-isothermal thermogravimetric measurements in the range 20–900°C, using raw and previously demineralized samples. Estimated kinetic parameters reflected changes caused by demineralization, especially in the low temperature range (up to ≈450°C), likely due to catalytic effects of the minerals. Pyrolysis of the demineralized biomasses also induced an enhanced development in pore structure of the resulting charcoal, favoring its potential use in adsorption applications and/or as an improved intermediate product for further conversion into activated carbons.

Keywords:

• biomass pyrolysis
• charcoal
• energy crops
• kinetics
• mineral matter

Acknowledgments

Grants from Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), and Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (ANPCYT–FONCYT) from Argentina are gratefully acknowledged. The authors are also thankful for support from the ALFA Programme–European Commission.

Notes

^a Estimated by difference.