Qualitative Evaluation of Alkali Release during the Pyrolysis of Biomass

The thermochemical emission of alkali metals from biomass samples and two organic salts was investigated for the first time using a novel combination of a thermogravimetric analyzer with a jet flow condenser attached to a surface ionization detector. This equipment allows the identification and comparison of the main alkali release temperatures of various kinds of biomass during pyrolysis. It has also been used to test the release patterns of two organic salts, which are present in various kinds of biomass, with low decomposition temperatures.