Analysis of biomass and sewage sludge devolatilization using the distributed activation energy model

The thermal decomposition of biomass (pine pellets) and sewage sludge was studied using thermogravimetric analysis under an inert atmosphere and the Distributed Activation Energy Model (DAEM) was employed. The activation energy and the frequency factor that characterize the kinetics were determined for both samples. A simplification of the process for prediction of devolatilization curves was proposed, evaluating its validity for both cases. The simplified method was found to combine both simplicity and low deviations with experimental data.

► DAEM was applied to describe the pyrolysis process of biomass and sewage sludge. ► The process of recovering devolatilization curves with DAEM was simplified. ► The simplification was proven to combine both simplicity and accuracy.