Catalytic Carbonization of Biomass and Nonisothermal Combustion Reactivity of Torrefied Biomass

The effects of catalysts addition on the carbonization reaction of biomass have been studied in a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). The sample biomasses were Bamboo and Pine. The catalysts tested were K, Zn metal compounds. The carbonization reactions were tested in the nonisothermal condition from the room temperature to 850 degrees C at a heating rate 1 similar to 10 degrees C/min on the flowing of N-2 purge gases. Also, the effects of catalyst on the torrefaction were tested in the temperature condition of 220, 250, 280 degrees C at 30 min. Combustion characteristic for the torrefied catalyst biomass were studied in the nonisothermal conditions of 200 similar to 850 degrees C. As the results, the initial decomposition temperatures of the volatile matters (T-i) and the temperature of maximum reaction rate (T-max) were decreased with increasing the catalyst amounts in the sample biomass. The char amounts remained after carbonization at 400 degrees C increased with the catalyst amounts. Therefore catalysts addition can be decreased the energy for carbonization process and improved the heating value of product char. The catalysts reduced the optimum torrefaction conditions from 250 degrees C to 220 degrees C. The torrefied catalyst biomass have lower activated energy from 46.5 similar to 58.7 kJ/mol to 25.1 similar to 27.0 kJ/mol in the nonisothermal combustion reaction.