Thermal Devolatilization Kinetics of Dry Distiller's Grains with Solubles (DDGS)

Dynamic thermogravimetric analysis is applied to investigate the thermal devolatilization of dry distiller's grain with solubles (DDGS), the major by-product of bioethanol plants. Compared with lignocellulosic biomass, the DDGS devolatilization occurs over a much wider temperature range and with slower rates. This reveals complex dynamics attributable to a peculiar chemical composition comprising, in addition to lignocellulose, proteins, starch and other minor components. The evolution of lumped volatile product classes is well described by a five-step reaction mechanism. The numerical solution of the ordinary differential equations together with a minimization of the objective function leads to activation energies invariant with the heating rate. The estimated values of 89, 120, 158, 102 and 113 kJ/mol are, on average, higher than those obtained under oxidative environments but still lower than those typically estimated for wood.

Automated summary

Dynamic thermogravimetric analysis is used to study the thermal devolatilization of dry distiller's grain with solubles, revealing a wider temperature range and slower rates compared to lignocellulosic biomass. The complex dynamics are attributed to a peculiar chemical composition of proteins, starch, and other minor components in addition to lignocellulose. The activation energies estimated invariant with the heating rate fall between values obtained under oxidative environments and those typically estimated for wood.