Effect of lime mud on the reaction kinetics and thermodynamics of biomass pyrolysis

The solid waste from papermaking factory, lime mud (LM), was previously demonstrated as an effective catalyst in biomass pyrolysis. Since understanding the kinetics and thermodynamics is the critical step for pyrolysis development, thereby the effect of LM on the kinetics and thermodynamics for biomass pyrolysis was systematically investigated in this study. More specifically, two representative biomasses, herbaceous corncob and woody aspen sawdust, were blended with LM at different mass ratio of 0:0, 0.5:1, 1:1, and 2:1. Based on this, pyrolysis was conducted through thermogravimetry under nitrogen atmosphere. The kinetic parameters of activation energy and pre-exponential factor were calculated by iso-conventional method. While the Avrami theory was used to determine the reaction order. Thermodynamic parameters were also calculated and compared with those of non-catalytic pyrolysis.