Investigation on pyrolysis and combustion characteristics of low quality lignite, cotton waste, and their blends by TGA-FTIR

Abstract In this study, lignite based fossil fuel and cotton waste based biofuel were selected as the main components of mixed energy resources due to their similar heating values. The effect of mixing ratio on pyrolysis and oxidation characteristics was investigated by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) equipped with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. Synergy between the fuels was explained by comparing calculated and experimental findings of characteristic temperatures and gas evolution profiles. The results of the TGA and FTIR analyses revealed that cotton waste addition improves thermal decomposition reactivity of low quality lignite under the pyrolysis and combustion conditions. Although no synergy was found between lignite and cotton waste under pyrolysis condition, the best synergistic interaction between fuels was observed in 50% mixing ratio during combustion.