Thermogravimetric Analysis of Densified Coco Peat Briquettes

Abstract

The present work deals with the investigation of thermal decomposition of densified coco peat briquettes using the thermogravimetry method to elucidate the effect of finite size of the biomass briquette on the decomposition profile. The cylindrical samples are varied in term of its density and its shape (sphericity). The sample is heated in a nitrogen atmosphere at different heating rates, ranging from 5°C/min to 20°C/min. The TG curves show three distinct phases of decomposition, i.e. preheating and drying, devolatilization, and char reduction. For all samples, thermal decomposition shifts to higher temperatures with the increase in the heating rate. From the TG curves, it is shown that the initial degradation temperature varies from 181°C to 302°C and the final degradation temperature varies from 328°C to 608°C. The shift to higher temperatures is also observed for the less dense briquettes. The shape of the briquettes affects also the decomposition profile. The less spherical (less of contact area) sample will decompose at higher temperatures. From the DTG curves, it can be seen that the maximum thermal degradation rate takes place at varying temperature ranging from 243°C to 419°C. The peak temperatures depend on the heating rate. However, the density and the shape of the biomass have no appreciable effect on the peak temperature.