Dynamic thermal analysis of lignocellulosic crop residues.

Citation

Ross, K.A., Leung, A., Godfrey, D.V., and Mazza, G. (2011). "Dynamic thermal analysis of lignocellulosic crop residues.", World Journal of Natural Products Research, 2(1), pp. 1-16.

Abstract

Dynamic thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) under nitrogen was used to investigate the thermal decomposition behaviour of three different Canadian crop residues, namely wheat straw (Triticum aestivum L.), triticale straw (Triticosecale) and flax shive (Linum usitatissimum. The effect of milling type, ball mill and cryo-mill and milling time on thermal degradation behaviour of the finely milled biomass particles was investigated. The results showed that for all biomass types subjected to the various milling treatments, weight loss resulting from thermal decomposition occurred between temperatures of 200°C and 800°C. All of the samples showed a mass loss of around 70-75% on reaching 400 °C depending on heating rate, biomass type and milling treatment. Generally, for all heating rates, the degradation of all biomass samples presented a main peak between 340-395 °C and a shoulder between 300-330 °C depending on biomass type and milling treatment. Evaluation of activation energy (Ea) values via the Kissenger method offered a fundamental means to describe a the thermal decomposition of the crop residues. The activation energy values for the milled wheat straw, triticale straw and flax shives ranged from 179-222.1, 176-227.9 and 194-218.7 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. Determination of activation energy values provides information necessary for understanding the thermal decomposition behaviour of milled wheat straw, triticale straw and flax shives in the context of defining their use as both agrofillers in thermocomposites and a source material for bioenergy and biochemicals.

Publication date

2011-12-31

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