An alternative kinetic approach to describe the isothermal pyrolysis of micro-particles of sugar cane bagasse

A new kinetic approach is presented for modeling micro-particle pyrolysis of sugar cane bagasse for isothermal conditions. The model is based on a superimposition of kinetics pseudo-components which are based on single-step reactions to model primary pyrolysis. To ensure the validity and reliability of the kinetic parameters, the operating conditions must guarantee the minimisation of heat transfer intrusions and vapour–solid interactions.The kinetic model was previously deduced from thermogravimetric data obtained at 20Kmin^−1 for the same bagasse samples. The potential effects related to an increase of the heating rate and the mineral matter content were taken into account during the adjustment of the parameters to reproduce the isothermal experiments.Ageneralised kinetic model proposed by Miller and Bellan [R.S. Miller, J. Bellan,Ageneralised biomass pyrolysis model based on superimposed cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin kinetics, Combust. Sci. Technol. 126 (1997) 97–137] was selected to compare the degree of agreement between the two models. In spite of the effectiveness of the Miller and Bellan model, a slightly better performance was achieved for the model proposed in this work.The methodology followed in the present study for sugar cane bagasse samples could be useful to predict the isothermal pyrolysis behaviour of arbitrary biomass feedstocks in a relatively easy way.