Determination of reaction kinetics of straw and stalk of rapeseed using thermogravimetric analysis

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques were used to investigate the kinetics of thermochemical conversion of an agricultural residue, namely the straw and stalk of rapeseed plants. The thermal degradation characteristics and the kinetic parameters (order of reaction, activation energy, and pre-exponential factor) were determined using the TGA and DTA curves. Thermogravimetric analyses were performed at heating rates of 25, 50, and 100° C min^-1 in an inert (nitrogen) atmosphere. DTA was performed at heating rates of 10, 30, and 50°C min^-1 in a nitrogen atmosphere. Total degradation (%) and kinetic parameters were determined for the active zone where almost all of the thermal decomposition occurred.