Physicochemical characterization and pyrolysis kinetics of wood sawdust

In this work, physicochemical characterization of wood sawdust (WSD) has been carried out and kinetics of its pyrolysis has been studied. The physiochemical properties such as proximate and ultimate analysis, lignocellulosic composition, heating value and thermal analysis of WSD have been carried out. The activation energy of the pyrolysis of WSD has been calculated by model-free Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose, Ozawa–Flynn–Wall methods and the average values are found to be 164.24 kJ mol−1 and 173.41 kJ mol−1, respectively. Coasts–Reforn method has been used to calculate the pre-exponential factor and reaction order. The predicted degree of conversion of WSD due to heat treatment is found to be in good agreement with experimental conversion data. Physicochemical properties and kinetic parameters support the good potential of WSD as pyrolysis feedstock.