INVESTIGATIONS OF THERMAL CONVERSION AND KINETICS OF LOW-GRADE COAL AND BAGASSE USING THERMOGRAVEMETRIC TECHNIQUE

In the present study thermal characterization of most abundantly available indigenous low grade coal (Chamalang) and residue of agricultural waste (bagasse) have been investigated using thermogravimetric techniques. Proximate and ultimate analyses were also performed and heating values were measured. The operating parameters like heating rate (15, 20, 400C/min), feed composition (85/15, 91/9 94/6), equivalence ratio (ER value 0.25, 0.30 0 35) that effects the kinetics and thermal conversion process were tested using TGA in nonisothermal mode by maintaining sub-stoichiometric environment. TGA was operated from room temperatures to 9500C and it was observed that these parameters have very pronounced effects on the kinetics and conversion of these fuels. Coal-bagasse blends 91/9 (% w/w), heating rate of 200C/min and ER value 0.30 gives the optimum conversion. These parameters also had shown a substantial effect on the frequency factor (A-1) and little impact on activation energy (Ea) that was determined by the regression analyses of weight loss data of TGA. These results contributed to the understanding of proper thermochemical conversion processes for co-firing at the optimum operating conditions for the gasification reactor.