Potassium catalyzed degradation of wood under nitrogen and air

• Type: Chapter or Part of a Book
• Date: 2013

Authors

Sónia Carabineiro (Author) FEUP; Silva, MCF (Author) Other; José Melo Orfão (Author) FEUP

Book

Title: New Research on Carbon Materials

Pages: 145-164

Indexing

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-NSW

Abstract (EN): The effect of potassium inorganic compounds in the degradation of wood was studied. In particular, the catalytic effect of the addition of KOH and KCl to samples of eucalyptus and pine wood, as well as cellulose pulp, during pyrolysis and combustion, was evaluated. The raw materials were previously washed, in order to remove inorganics, and analyzed by thermogravimetry up to 973 K, in N2 or air atmospheres. Analysis of gases released during pyrolysis and combustion was carried out by mass spectrometry. It was shown that there is a catalytic effect in the addition of potassium salts to the biomass. The anion has an important effect since, in general, samples loaded with the hydroxide present the highest decreases in the temperature at which thermal decomposition starts. That can be related with the higher basicity of OH-, compared to Cl-. In air, only CO, CO2 and H2O were found, while in N2 atmosphere, also CH4 and CH3OH could be detected, although in small amounts. For all samples, the evolution of products starts at a lower temperature for the samples loaded with KCl, and even lower for samples loaded with KOH, when compared with original (washed) samples, confirming the results obtained by thermogravimetry.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific