Determination of Distributed Activation Energy Model Kinetic Parameters Using Simulated Annealing Optimization Method for Nonisothermal Pyrolysis of Lignin

The distributed activation energy model (DAEM) has been shown to be more descriptive of the pyrolysis reaction than other applicable models. In this study, the temperature dependency of the preexponential factor has been included in the DAEM. The model equation has been solved using Simpson's 1/3 rule, and the kinetic parameters were determined using an optimization method. Simulated annealing method has been used to determine the DAEM kinetic parameters for the nonisothermal pyrolysis of lignin using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data. The nonisothermal pyrolysis of lignin was conducted at three different heating rates of 5, 10, and 15 degrees C/min under nitrogen atmosphere. Predicted results from the optimum kinetic parameters have been compared with the experimental data. The DAEM equation predicts the experimental data very well for different heating rates.