Thermogravimetric analysis of co-combustion of biomass and biochar

The co-combustion of biomass and biochar was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. Several thermal parameters and mean reactivity index (R (M)) for different blends were used to evaluate co-combustion features. As the biomass content increased from 30 to 90 mass%, volatile releasing temperature (T (v)), burnout temperature (T (b)), and the temperature at the maximal peak (T (max)) generally reduced, while average mass loss rates (R (a)) and R (M) increased, the maximum mass loss rate (R (max)) initially decreased and then increased. Results showed that biochar additions enhanced biomass fuel reactivity over weighted average in main combustion region. Besides, blends with 10-30 mass% of biochar behaved better than those with higher biochar ratio. Synergy exists between the two components and better combustibility is feasible by co-firing biochar with biomass.