Pyrolysis of corn cob: physico-chemical characterization, thermal decomposition behavior and kinetic analysis
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Sanjay Singh
Abstract
Bioenergy out of lignocellulosic biomass, especially from agricultural crop residues, is making massive inroads in our quest for sustainable environment. In the present study, detailed physico-chemical characterization, thermal degradation characteristics, and kinetics of pyrolysis of corn cob are reported. Thermogravimetric experiments were performed at different heating rates, such as, 10, 20, and 30 °C/min in an inert atmosphere. Thermogravimetric (TG) and derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) curves inferred the thermal behavior characteristics of corn cob. Significant content of cellulose and hemicellulose put together (76.23%) suggested tremendous potential of corn cob to give enhanced yield of bio-oil through pyrolysis. Maximum mass loss of 61.92% for corn cob was observed in the temperature range of 180–360 °C. The kinetic parameters for pyrolysis of corn cob were determined by employing model-free isoconversional methods like, Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa, and Starink. Activation energy from FWO (62.44 kJ/mol) and Starink (61.74 kJ/mol) method for pyrolysis of corn cob was found to be in close proximity. The results revealed prospective bioenergy potential of corn cob as a feedstock for pyrolysis process.
Acknowledgements
Authors are thankful to Prof. V.S. Moholkar, IIT Guwahati for providing TGA facility and to lab In-charge Mr. Dhiren Huzuri, IIT Guwahati for his kind co-operation in conducting the experiments.
Author contribution: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
Research funding: None declared.
Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding this article.
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© 2020 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Editorial special section: selected extended papers from an International Conference on Energy and Environmental Technologies for Sustainable Development (CHEM-CONFLUX20)
- Research Articles
- Model based control strategies to control voltage of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
- Nested control loop configuration for a three stage biological wastewater treatment process
- Energy saving in batch distillation for separation of ternary zeotropic mixture integrated with vapor recompression scheme: dynamics and control
- Pyrolysis of corn cob: physico-chemical characterization, thermal decomposition behavior and kinetic analysis
- Decolorization of Reactive Black B from wastewater by electro-coagulation: optimization using multivariate RSM and ANN
- Numerical simulation of the effect of baffle cut and baffle spacing on shell side heat exchanger performance using CFD
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Editorial special section: selected extended papers from an International Conference on Energy and Environmental Technologies for Sustainable Development (CHEM-CONFLUX20)
- Research Articles
- Model based control strategies to control voltage of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
- Nested control loop configuration for a three stage biological wastewater treatment process
- Energy saving in batch distillation for separation of ternary zeotropic mixture integrated with vapor recompression scheme: dynamics and control
- Pyrolysis of corn cob: physico-chemical characterization, thermal decomposition behavior and kinetic analysis
- Decolorization of Reactive Black B from wastewater by electro-coagulation: optimization using multivariate RSM and ANN
- Numerical simulation of the effect of baffle cut and baffle spacing on shell side heat exchanger performance using CFD
