Insight into the Pyrolysis of Melocanna baccifera Biomass: Pyrolysis Behavior, Kinetics, and Thermodynamic Parameters...

Melocanna baccifera biomass's thermal degradation was investigated in a nonisothermal thermogravimetric analyzer at four heating rates. Iso-conversional methods (differential Friedman, Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose, Ozawa-Flynn-Wall, Starink, and distributed activation energy) were used to analyze the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters. The pre-exponential factor and activation energy for all iso-conversional processes varied from 10²⁰ to 10³⁵ min^-1 and 168.70 to 218.86 kJ mol^-1 respectively. The average enthalpy and Gibbs free energy varied in the range 265.49 to 451.89 and 165.27 to 193.7 kJ mol^-1, respectively, at maximum conversion. The highest product yield of liquid plus biochar (53.67 ± 0.7 wt %) was obtained at 550 °C during pyrolysis of biomass, and BET surface area and high heating values were 27.27 MJ kg^-1 and 58.69 m² g^-1, respectively, for biochar at the optimum condition (550 °C). GC-MS revealed the presence of phenols (42.18%), ketones (14.33%), carboxylic acids (2.37%), and alcohols (11.72%). Combining these results suggests that biochar and pyrolytic bio-oil have a variety of applications and that M. baccifera biomass can be used as a feedstock for producing sustainable chemicals and fuel.