Evaluation of the potential utilization of conventional and unconventional biomass wastes resources for energy production

Abstract

This work presents kinetic and thermal data of three different biomass wastes with high availability in Uruguay. Samples were analysed by proximate, ultimate and thermogravimetric analyses, transient plane source, and a cone calorimeter. DTG results at different heating rates allowed us to identify different stages during the thermogravimetric analysis. Kinetic modelling per stages was realized for each stage observed during the heating of the biomass samples. The kinetic was modelled minimizing the square difference between the experimental data and theoretical values obtained with the model. Activation energy values were obtained for each stage, with values in the range 164-217 kJ mol-1 for the decomposition of cellulose and hemicellulose, and between 190-507 kJ mol-1 for the decomposition of lignin.