Study the catalytic effect on pyrolytic behavior, thermal kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of Ni/Ru/Fe-impregnated sugarcane bagasse via thermogravimetric analysis

The pyrolytic behavior, kinetic, and thermodynamic parameters of raw and metal (Ni, Ru, and Fe) impregnated sugarcane bagasse were investigated and evaluated by fitting thermogravimetric data of 5, 10, 15, and 20 ?/min heating rates (beta) into isoconversional models (FWO, KAS, and Kissinger's). Nano-metals (size ~10-20 nm) in the form of oxides/hydroxides were formed and adsorbed into the lignocellulosic matrix during the process of metal impregnation. The metals were (Ni, Ru, and Fe) incorporated into bagasse were able to lower the overall activation energy (SB-Ni-62.50 kJ/mol, SB-Ru-78.46 kJ/mol, SB-Fe-83.09 kJ/mol), enthalpy change (SB-Ni-58.37 kJ/mol, SB-Ru-73.71 kJ/mol, SB-Fe-78.54 kJ/mol), overall weight loss (SB-Ni-88.03 wt%, SB-Ru-85.46 wt%, SBFe-82.33 wt%) and increases the change in Gibbs free energy (SB-Ni-138.19 kJ/mol, SB-Ru-132.37 kJ/mol, SBFe-136.26 kJ/mol) at a great extent as compared to the raw sugarcane bagasse (E-alpha-125.23 kJ/mol, delta H-120.87 kJ/mol, delta G-109.61 kJ/mol). Metal impregnation into biomass can be a possible alternative route to minimize biomass pyrolysis's harsh operating conditions and enhance the yields of value-added products like gaseous fuel, bio-oil, and bio-chemicals.