Kinetic Parameters of Biomass Pyrolysis by TGA

Pyrolysis processes of typical biomass, such as corn stalk and birch chips, were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The apparent activation energy and pre-exponential factor were calculated with the adoption of the improved Coats-Redfern integral method, 46 types of common mechanism functions, and the least square and iterative methods. By applying basic parameters of biomass pyrolysis, a reaction rate constant, activation entropy and activation enthalpy, activation Gibbs free energy, and the steric-hindrance factor were all calculated. Results showed that biomass pyrolysis can be divided into two primary reaction zones (Event 3 and Event 4). Event 3 is focused by cellulose and hemicellulose. Event 4 is oriented by lignin and cellulose. The thermogravimetric curves of the two biomass types under carbon dioxide and nitrogen atmospheres were roughly similar. The reaction mechanism function is 1 - α. It is possible to use activation entropy to represent the pre-exponential factor and to use the steric hindrance factor to predict the reaction rate.