A comparative study on the pyrolysis of metal- and ash-enriched wood and the combustion properties of the gained char

► Metal binding capacity of wood, cellulose and lignin. ► Effect of metals and ash on the catalytic decomposition of wood during pyrolysis. ► Effect of metals and ash on levoglucosan and char yield. ► Burning profile tests of biochar in the presence of ash and inorganic compounds. ► The two consecutive steps of char combustion were identified.