Co-pyrolysis of lignite and rapeseed cake: a comparative study on the thermal decomposition behavior and pyrolysis kinetics

In this study, physicochemical properties, co-pyrolysis kinetics and characteristics of lignite and rapeseed cake is investigated. While lignite has high calorific value, rapeseed cake has high volatile matter content and low moisture content that is suitable for the pyrolysis reactions. According to the thermal behavior of lignite and rapeseed cake blends, the addition of rapeseed cake into lignite provides to shift to lower initial decomposition temperature of blends compared to lignite. While rapeseed cake has a significant role in determining activation energies at the lower conversion degrees, lignite plays a vital role in specifying the activation energies at the higher conversion degrees. The char yield considerably decreases under the higher rapeseed cake ratio, while both of the bio-oil and gas yields increase. As conclusion, blending of rapeseed cake with lignite provides a positive synergy with regard to volatile yields and follows through different types of chemicals that can be valorized in various applications such as bio-chemicals and bio-fuel.