Thermogravimetric Analysis of Calotropis Procera

摘要

Calotropis procera (C.procera) is a weed that grows profusely without management on waste lands. In this work, the plant of C.procera was characterized to evaluate the suitability for use as renewable energy feedstock. The ultimate and proximate analyses were carried out to determine the elemental composition. Thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) were performed to study the pyrolysis and combustion characteristics. The proximate and ultimate composition of C.procera was similar to other lignocellulosic biomass. The TGA and DTG profiles under nitrogen atmosphere presented significant mass loss in which the shoulder and sharp peaks represented hemicellulose and cellulose pyrolysis respectively. The combustion profile presented two distinct degradation stages indicating the oxidation of hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin and char. The ignition and burnout temperature estimated from the TG and DTG curves is 240℃ and 492℃ respectively. The thermal behaviors under nitrogen and oxygen environment indicated that the plant is suitable for both pyrolysis and combustion processes.