Thermogravimetric analysis of the combustion of microalgae and microalgae blended with waste in N sub(2)/O sub(2) and CO sub(2)/O sub(2) atmospheres

The combustion of microalgae and municipal solid waste (MSW) under N sub(2)/O sub(2) and CO sub(2)/O sub(2) atmospheres was analyzed using a thermogravimetric instrument. The onset temperature of volatile release (T sub(v)), maximum rate of weight loss (R sub(max)) and the temperature at the maximal peak (T sub(max)) were measured. As the blending ratio of microalgae was increased from 10% to 70% under N sub(2)/O sub(2) atmosphere, T sub(v) decreased from 269.4 to 247.4 degree C, T sub(max) decreased from 310.8 to 288.0 degree C, R sub(max) decreased from 11.94% to 7.88% and residual weight decreased from 30% to 20%. Thus, blending with microalgae can improve MSW combustion. The type of atmosphere did not affect T sub(v) and T sub(max), but replacement of N sub(2) by CO sub(2), resulted in the later appearance of the small humps (>600 degree C) in the mass loss and rate of weight loss curves, burnout was less complete, and R sub(max) was lower, thus some improvement measures, such as an increase in oxygen concentration, are required under CO sub(2)/O sub(2) atmosphere to achieve the same combustion performances in air.