Thermal analysis studies on combustion characteristics of seaweed

Combustion experiments of three typical seaweeds (Gracilaria cacalia, Enteromorpha clathrata and Laminaria japonica) have been studied using a DTA-60H Thermal Analyzer and the combustion processes and characteristics are studied. Thermogravimetric experiments are carried out on the samples with 0.18 mm particle size at the heating rate of 20 degrees C min(-1). The results indicate that the ignition mode of seaweed is homogeneous and the combustion process is composed of dehydration, the pyrolysis and combustion of volatile, transition stage, the combustion of char as well as the reaction at high temperature. And the combustion characteristic parameters are obtained such as ignition temperature, maximum rate of combustion, burnout temperature etc. The combustion models of these seaweeds are also analyzed. The combustion characteristics and model differences between the seaweed and woody biomass are caused by the differences of volatile components. The combustibility indexes of seaweeds calculated are better than that of woody biomass, and the index of Gracilaria cacalia is the best. At last, activation energies are determined using Arrhenius model that is solved by binary linear regression method.