Thermophysical Chemical and Structural Modificat

Authors: Ayokunle O Balogun Olumuyiwa A Lasode Armando G McDonald

Publish Date: 2016/11/22

Volume: 9, Issue: 1, Pages: 131-138

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Abstract

The study examined the modifications in the thermophysical and chemical structure of Tectona grandis TK and Sorghum bicolour stalk residues that occurred during the process of torrefaction The analytical techniques used are Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy FTIR and thermogravimetric analysis TGA alongside some basic data characterisation techniques Data from specific FTIR spectra were used quantitatively in the evaluation of total crystalline and lateral order indices TCI and LOI for cellulose and syringyl to guaiacyl S/G ratio in lignin The indices and the ratio were applied in monitoring modifications in cellulose crystallinity and lignin structure The S/G ratio for untreated TK dropped significantly from 06 to 012 after torrefaction An appreciable rise in the TCI and LOI was observed for both samples following the thermochemical conversion process A distinct thermal decomposition pathway which widen in discrepancy with increasing torrefaction temperature was established between untreated and torrefied biomass residues via the TGA The basic data analysis demonstrated a significant rise in the calorific value of torrefied biomass approximately from an average of 191–268 MJ/kg

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