Pyrolysis and kinetic analyses of Camel grass (Cymbopogon schoenanthus) for bioenergy.

The aim of this work was to study the thermal degradation of grass ( Cymbopogon schoenanthus ) under an inert environment at three heating rates, including 10, 30, and 50 °C min −1 in order to evaluate its bioenergy potential. Pyrolysis experiments were performed in a simultaneous Thermogravimetry–Differential Scanning Calorimetry analyzer. Thermal data were used to analyze kinetic parameters through isoconversional models of Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) and Kissenger-Akahira-Sunose (KSA) methods. The pre-exponential factors values have shown the reaction to follow first order kinetics. Activation energy values were shown to be 84–193 and 96–192 kJ mol −1 as calculated by KSA and FWO methods, respectively. Differences between activation energy and enthalpy of reaction values (∼5 to 6 kJ mol −1 ) showed product formation is favorable. The Gibb’s free energy (173–177 kJ mol −1 ) and High Heating Value (15.00 MJ kg −1 ) have shown the considerable bioenergy potential of this low-cost biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]