Investigation of non-isothermal pyrolysis kinetics of waste industrial hemp stem by three-parallel-reaction model

The evaluation of pyrolysis kinetics for waste industrial hemp stem (IHS) is essential to achieve the high-value utilization of agricultural waste. In present study, firstly, non-isothermal pyrolysis experiments of IHS were performed at different heating rates using a thermogravimetric analyzer. Then, the kinetic triplets (apparent activation energy, pre-exponential factor, and reaction mechanism) of the three pseudo components for IHS (hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin) were determined by a three-parallel-reaction model. Moreover, the pyrolysis products were also characterized via FTIR and SEM. The results showed that the apparent activation energies of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin were 86.523, 113.257 and 197.961 kJ/mol, respectively; the pre exponential factors were 6.887 x 10(7), 8.179 x 10(9) and 1.801 x 1015 s(-1), respectively; and the reaction mechanism functions were f(alpha) = alpha(1.35629)(1-alpha)(0.34832)[-ln(1-alpha)](- 1.20128), f(alpha) = alpha(3.42900)(1-alpha)(0.01288)[-ln(1-alpha)](-2.84445), f(alpha) = alpha 0.68738(1-alpha)(3.09313)[-ln(1-alpha)](-1.58522), respectively. The release temperature for volatile products of IHS pyrolysis was mainly between 440 and 840 K. IHS as an agricultural waste is a suitable feedstock to produce renewable energy.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the pyrolysis kinetics of waste industrial hemp stem (IHS) to achieve high-value utilization of agricultural waste. Experimental and model analysis were used to determine the apparent activation energy, pre-exponential factor, and reaction mechanism of IHS. The results indicated that IHS is a suitable feedstock for renewable energy production.