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For the first time pyrolytic degradation of biopolymers and multi-pseudo component of jute sticks (JS) was executed through thermogravimetric analysis. Gaussian deconvolution of first order derivative have been registered in the current manuscript to find individual signals related to each pseudo component (hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin) in biomaterial. The JS characteristics, pyrolysis reaction kinetics, reaction mechanism and nature of the volatile compounds released were examined by various analytical instruments and methods, such as elemental analyzer, FTIR, AAS, TGA, GC-MS and kinetics models. The average activation energy values for JS 243.77, 234.05, 246.61, 246.74 and 260.03 kJ.mol−1when OFW, KAS, STM, TANG and Friedman models, respectively, were used for analysis. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔS, and ΔG) of different component of JS were also evaluated and discussed in the current context. Z(α) analysis has shown that the experimental curves have followed Avrami- Erofeyev (A2, A3, A4), power-law (P2), geometric (R2, R3), diffusional (D1, D2, D3) and reaction (F1) curves according to Criado’s master plots, indicating complex nature of pyrolysis process. Finally, it was confirmed that alcohols are major pyrolysates, followed by hydrocarbon and benzene among all other components released during pyrolysis action of JS. The finding of the study contributes to the potential of jute stick as a raw material for bioenergy and renewable chemical production. It also proves to be useful in the design and optimization of JS-based thermochemical degradation processes.

Graphical abstract:

Body segment parameters are required as input parameters to analyze the forces and moments acting on the joints. They can be used to design the farm tools, protective clothing, equipment, and workplaces. The study was planned to develop geometric models for female agricultural workers of Central India. Anthropometric data of 180 female agricultural workers aged between 25 and 45 years having weight of 45.74 ± (7.56) kg and height of 1510 ± (50) mm were collected to develop 14-segmental 3D geometrical models. The values of mean, maximum, minimum, standard deviation (SD) and 5th and 95th percentile anthropometric dimension were calculated. Based on geometric models, mass, density, volume, center of mass (COM) and moments of inertia of body segments were calculated. To test the validity of the model with other models for body segment parameters, an analysis was carried out using SAS 9.3 software with one-way analysis of variance. There was a significant difference (p< 0.01) between the study model and other models based on Dunnett's multiple comparisons post hoc test. From post hoc test analysis, it was observed that developed 14 segments geometric model can be used to determine body segment parameters (BSPs), i.e., segment mass, volume, center of mass (COM) and radius of gyration (RG).