Energy Sources Part A-recovery Utilization and Environmental Effects, Vol.31, No.11, 967-973, 2009
Studies on Auto-gasification of Bio-residues
The powdery bio-mass known as bio-residues is viewed as a chemical substance consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen mainly woven around an ash matrix. These elements are assumed to be chemisorbed in the ash medium. The ultimate analysis indicates that oxygen available within the bio-residues is sufficient to gasify. This paves the way for auto-gasification. Upon heating, the sites are activated to decompose to various gaseous products. Uniformity in temperature within the bio-mass is key to the success of auto-gasification. Therefore, powdery bio-residues such as poultry liter, bagasse, rice husk, coir pith, and saw dust were selected for Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) analysis with static nitrogen and purging nitrogen at a heating rate of 5C/min. It is interesting to note that with static nitrogen environment, ash has resulted in all bio-residues whereas with purging nitrogen, char and ash have been obtained. As reported by previous investigators, purging nitrogen has prevented secondary degradation. The studies with static nitrogen establish the feasibility of auto-gasification.