Determination of the activation energy of water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) pyrolysis

Thermogravimetric investigation of the thermo-chemical conversion of water hyacinth to bio-fuels was carried out at temperatures between 35 and 915 ?C under a nitrogen environment. It envisaged that the operational envelope for bio-oil production from water hyacinth pyrolysis lies between 250 and 550 ?C. Kinetic analysis reveals that pyrolytic degradation of water hyacinth to bio-fuels is actually four consecutive reactions of desorption, evaporation, devolatization, and secondary cracking reactions, which takes place at the temperature range of 35 ? 95 ?C, 95 ? 215 ?C, 215 ? 355 ?C, and 355 ? 915?C, with activation energies of 34.18, 6.60, 34.48, and 6.92 kJ/mol respectively. The kinetic parameters determined will prove useful in the design of pyrolysis reactors and gasifiers for the biomass.