Co-pyrolysis of pine-cone and chicken feathers: a study to determine kinetic parameters, thermodynamic properties, and potential synergistic effects

ABSTRACT

The increasing consumption of chemicals, fuels, and energy results in the rapid depletion of fossil reserves that are utilized as raw materials in the manufacture of the aforementioned products. This is why science has recently focused on more efficient utilization of renewable energy sources such as biomass. In this work, we have used widely available biomasses such as pine cone and chicken feather for the kinetic and thermodynamic study. The co-pyrolysis study of an equal proportion (50:50) of pine cone (PC) and chicken feather (CF) was performed using the thermogravimetry technique. The analysis was performed for the temperature range of 20-8000 C with 10, 20, and 30 0C/min heating rates. The KAS, OFW, and Kissinger methods were used for the activation energy, and the Coats–Redfern method was utilized for the pre-exponential factor estimation. The KAS and OFW methods were used to calculate the average activation energy. Using the OFW and KAS methods, the results were 179.53, 163.02 kJ/mol for PC, 177.64, 126.46 kJ/mol for CF, and 160.49, 117.01 kJ/mol for the mixture. It was observed that the mixture activation energy was lower than the individual biomass. The study has analyzed the positive synergistic effect of the co-pyrolysis. Proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, heating value, and thermodynamic activation parameters such as ΔH, ΔS, and ΔG were also determined for the mixture.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Slow pyrolysis
• pine cone
• chicken feather
• TGA
• thermodynamic and kinetic study

Highlights

• Co-pyrolysis of pine cone and chicken feather is reported.

• Activation energy using KAS and OFW methods is analyzed.

• The pre-exponential factor using the Coats–Redfern method is determined.

• Thermodynamic activation parameters are calculated.

• A positive synergetic effect is reported via co-pyrolysis.

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Disclosures and declarations

All authors certify that they have no affiliation with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

Data availability statement

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article [and/or] its supplementary materials.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Deepak Kumar Patel

Deepak Kumar Patel received his bachelor’s degree from Dr Ambedkar Institute of Technology for Handicapped, in 2019 Kanpur with distinction, and Master’s degree from Harcourt Butler Technical University in 2022 with distinction Kanpur. Currently, he is working in Indian Railways as government employee since 2023.

Rajesh Katiyar

Dr. Rajesh Katiyar received his bachelor’s degree from Shivaji University in 1991 with distinction, his Master degree from IIT Delhi in 2001 and Ph.D. also from IIT Delhi in 2015. Currently, he is Professor in department of chemical engineering at Harcourt Butler Technical University, Kanpur, India serving since 1995 and he has also served as an acting Director of Rajkiya Engineering College Pratapgarh, U.P. INDIA.

Parul Dwivedi

Parul Dwivedi received her bachelor’s degree from Banasthali University, in 2013 Rajasthan with distinction, and Master’s degree from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) in 2018 in Nagpur. She has worked 4 years in research labs as a research scientist. Currently, she is pursuing her Phd in the department of chemical engineering at Harcourt Butler Technical University, Kanpur, India since 2022.

Ashwani Kumar Rathore

Dr. Ashwani Kumar Rathore received his bachelor’s degree from GEC Raipur in 1997 with honors, his Master degree from HBTU, Kanpur in 1999 and Ph.D. from MANIT, Bhopal in 2020. Currently, he is Professor in department of chemical engineering at Harcourt Butler Technical University, Kanpur, India since 2003.

Anjali Singh

Anjali Singh received his bachelor’s degree from Madan Mohan Malviya University in 2020 Gorakhpur, and Master’s degree from Harcourt Butler Technical University in 2022. Currently, she is working in Number Chemical Industry since 2023.