TGA-DSC-MS analysis of pyrolysis process of various agricultural residues

Slow pyrolysis (gradual heating over a wide range of temperatures) characteristics of various biomasses (corn brakes, wheat straw, and hazelnut shell) were investigated by simultaneous thermal analysis (STA-TGA-DTG-DSC), coupled with mass spectrometry. Thermal decomposition of these samples was divided into three stages corresponding to removal of water, devolatilization, and formation of bio-char. It was found that differences in thermal behavior of the samples are due to differences in their composition. The mass spectrometry results showed that H2, CH4 , H2O, CO2 (C3H8), CO, and C2H6were main gaseous products released during pyrolysis. Within the pyrolysis processes, it was found that CO can be used on the large scale for production of CO-rich syngas.