Explosive degradation of woody biomass under the presence of metal nitrates

The influence of various metal nitrates (Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, etc.) has been studied in the pyrolysis of woody biomass under inert atmosphere. Pyrolysis samples have been prepared by impregnation of wood with aqueous solution of the salts as well as by mechanical mixing of powders of wood and nitrates. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the addition of nickel, copper and zinc nitrates reduced significantly the decomposition temperature of wood below 150 °C. The decomposition of wood completes explosively at the temperature. The pyrolysis products have been analysed by GC–MS and XRD methods. Preliminary result of the quantitative analysis of emitted NOx gas in the pyrolysis treatment is also presented.