J. L. Yang, H. X. Chen, W. T. Zhao and J. J. Zhou (2016) TG-FTIR-MS study of pyrolysis products evolving from peat. Journal/Journal Of Analytical And Applied Pyrolysis 117 296-309. [In English]
Web link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2015.11.002
Keywords: ,Peat pyrolysis, Kinetics Gas evolution, TG-FTIR-MS, SMOLDERING COMBUSTION, BIOMASS PYROLYSIS, GC-MS, EMISSIONS, KINETICS, WILDFIRES

Abstract: Thermal characteristics and gas compositions during peat pyrolysis under helium atmosphere were investigated using the TG-FTIR-MS coupling technique. The majority of gas products were released during the decomposition temperature of 150-550 degrees C, resulting in about 60% mass loss of peat. The main gas species detected during 150-400 degrees C were CO2, CO, CH4, C2H6, HCOOH, CH3CH2COOH, C4H8 and CH2CHCHO. From 400 degrees C to 550 degrees C, some aromatic hydrocarbons were identified, including benzaldehyde, phenol, benzoic acid and toluene. The release of CO2, CO, CH4 and some aromatic hydrocarbons over 550 degrees C provided the evidence of char pyrolysis. A five-step pyrolysis scheme including water evaporation, hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin degradation, and char pyrolysis was used to simulate peat decomposition process in inert atmosphere. The well agreement between the calculated and experimental curves indicated that major aliphatic gases were derived from hemicellulose and cellulose pyrolysis, while aromatic hydrocarbons were mainly from lignin and char pyrolysis. This work provides a deep insight into the utilization of peat for gaseous biofuels. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.