Influence of mineral matter on biomass pyrolysis characteristics

Studies on wood and twelve other types of biomass showed that in general, deashing increased the volatile yield, initial decomposition temperature and rate of pyrolysis. However, coir pith, groundnut shell and rice husk showed an increase in char yield on deashing, which is attributed to their high lignin, potassium and zinc contents. These results were supported by studies on salt-impregnated, acid-soaked and synthetic biomass. A correlation was developed to predict the influence of ash on volatile yield. On deashing, liquid yield increased and gas yield decreased for all the biomass studied. The active surface area increased on deashing. The heating value of the liquid increased, whereas the increase in char heating value was only marginal.