Combustion reactivity estimation parameters of biomass compared with lignite based on thermogravimetric analysis
Buse Bilkic, H. Haykırı-Açma, S. Yaman
Abstract
Combustion reactivity of biomass (Robinia Pseudoacacia) was compared with lignite’s reactivity using various parameters (group A) based on thermal analysis data including ignition temperature (Ti), burning rate (dw/dt), burnout temperature (Tb), heat-flow (H), weights/temperatures/times, etc., and some calculated parameters (Group B) such as conversions or indices of reactivity/combustion performance [mean combustion reactivity (Rm), time-based reactivity (Rt), reactivity normalized to initial sample weight (Rw), ignition index (Di), comprehensive combustion index (S), burnout performance index (Db), combustion index (Hf), and combustion stability indices (Dcs, Dw)]. Although the conversion yields as well as Rt or Rw pointed out that biomass was more reactive than lignite, some reactivity parameters such as the Ti, temperature/time at 5% conversion, the temperature of maximum heat flow implied that lignite’s reactivity was higher probably due to catalytic effects of minerals. Therefore, a comparison of reactivity considering only the Group A parameters especially for low temperatures can lead to misconception.