(570j) Thermogravimetric Analysis of Combustion and Gasification of Lignocellulosic Biomass and Its Components

Combustion, air-steam gasification, and steam gasification of lignocellulosic biomass and its components (i.e. cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) were studied using a combined thermogravimetry-gas chromatography (TG-GC) experimental setup at a heating rate of 10°C/min in the temperature range of 140°C-900°C. Various gasifying agents (100%air, 50%air+50%steam, 25%air+75%steam, and 70%steam+30%argon) were injected at a constant volume flow rate of 100ml/min and reacted with the lignocellulosic biomass and its components, and a simulated biomass - mixture of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin at 50:25:25 wt %. An independent parallel reactions model of combustion and gasification of the biomass components was formulated. The steam gasification model of the biomass components shows large deviation during thermal decomposition compared with those of the simulated and lignocellulosic biomass, indicating that the interaction amongst the components takes place during thermal decomposition in the presence of steam.