Comparative study of thermal degradation kinetics of two woody biomass samples for bio-oil production

Japanese Larch wood and Bangladeshi Ipil Ipil wood are two potential candidates for pyrolysis and biofuel production, and they are widely available and fast-growing trees, but the study into these timbers is scant in the literature. In order to evaluate the potential for biofuel production, the kinetic and pyrolysis characteristics of both woody samples were determined using thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG) at varying heat rates of 10 K/min, 20 K/min, 30 K/min, 40 K/min, 50 K/min and 60 K/min. It was found that the weight reduction rate increased with the increase in the heat rate for both the wood samples. The maximum weight loss of 89 wt% for Larch wood and 85 wt% for Ipil Ipil wood was achieved, showing a good potential for biofuel production from these biomass samples. Additionally, the average activation energy and frequency factor were found to be 64 kJ/mol and 9 × 109 min−1 for the selected biomasses which indicates that the chemical reaction that occurred in the pyrolysis process is fast for both kinds of wood. The volatile matter was found to be 71 wt%, and 65 wt% for larch wood at 20 and 60 K/min heating rates. It was 57 wt% and 63 wt% for Ipil Ipil wood. Finally, using experimental TGA/DTG results, a mathematical model was developed to determine the kinetics of unreacted substances based on Arrhenius configuration. The results from this model were 83 wt% and 80 wt% weight loss at 20 K/min and 60 K/min heating rates respectively. Thus, this work provides useful information for optimising the pyrolysis process of these two kinds of woods for biofuel production.