Novel Insights into the Kinetics, Evolved Gases, and Mechanisms for Biomass (Sugar Cane Residue) Pyrolysis

Biomass, a renewable energy source, via available thermo-chemical processes has both engineering and environmental advantages. However, the understanding of the kinetics, evolved gases, and mechanisms for biomass pyrolysis is limited. We first propose a novel temperature response mechanism for the pyrolysis of sugar cane residue using thermogravimetric analysis-Fourier transform infrared spectrometry-mass spectrometry (TG-FTIR-MS) combined with Gaussian model and two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D COS). The existence and contribution of distinct peaks in TG-FTIR spectra were innovatively distinguished and quantified, and the temperature-dependent dynamics of gas amounts were determined using Gaussian deconvolution. The 2D-TG-FTIR/MS-COS results revealed for the first time that the primary sequential temperature responses of gases occurred in the order: H2O/CH4 > phenols/alkanes/aromatics/alcohols > carboxylic acids/ketones > CO2/ethers > aldehyde groups/acetaldehyde. Subtle sequential changes even occurred within the same gases during pyrolysis. The quantity dynamics and sequential responses of gases were fitted to the combined effects of the order-based, diffusion, and chemical reaction mechanisms for the component degradation. The combination of TG-FTIR-MS, Gaussian model, and 2D COS is a promising approach for the online monitoring and real-time management of biomass pyrolysis, providing favorable strategies for pyrolysis optimization, byproduct recovery, energy generation, and gas emission control in engineering and environmental applications.