Study on kinetic parameters of different biomass samples using thermo-gravimetric analysis

In this study, thermogravimetric analysis of three different biomass samples such as rice husk, saw dust and wheat husk is carried out to understand its thermal behaviour. Analysis is carried out in an inert nitrogen atmosphere from ambient temperature to 800 °C at a heating rate of 10 °C/min. It is observed that all the three biomass samples displayed similar weight loss trend. Three reaction zones corresponding to dehydration, hemicellulose-cellulose degradation and lignin degradation are observed for all the three biomass samples. The kinetic parameters such as activation energy, pre-exponential factor and order of the reaction of samples are determined using modified form of equation. •The thermal behavior of waste biomass materials such as rice husk, sawdust and wheat husk is studied using Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).•Using TG–DTG curves the degradation zones of biomass components, their degradation temperature range and decomposition % are identified.•The findings of the TGA results are compared with wet chemical analysis to check the actual composition of biomass components.•Simple Arrhenius equation and Microsoft linest function were used to determine the kinetic parameters (activation energy, pre-exponential factor and order of reaction) of each biomass components.