Combustion mechanisms, flue gas emissions, and ash properties of Zingiber officinale residues in response to CO2/O2 and N2/O2 atmospheres.

Utilizing biomass energy plays a pivotal role not only in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions but also in achieving carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability. The primary objective of this study was to quantify gas emissions, ash properties, and the bioenergy potential of the ginger residue (Zb) combustion in response to the air and oxygen-enriched atmospheres by using thermogravimetric analysis coupled with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The primary degradation of the Zb combustion occurred between 144 and 432 °C. Compared with the 79 % CO 2 /21 % O 2 atmosphere at the same heating rate, the 79 % N 2 /21 % O 2 atmosphere favored the Zb combustion. The combustion gas products were consistent in both atmospheres and predominantly occurred between 150 and 550 °C. The combustion process in both atmospheres adhered to the mechanism of random nucleation, signifying a highly reactive and favorable reaction system. The joint optimization based on an artificial neural network confirmed that the primary temperature for achieving maximum heat release and minimal gas emissions in both atmospheres varied between 575 and 1000 °C. Overall, Zb serves as an environmentally friendly and renewable resource for biomass energy production. Findings of this study can provide a basis for bioenergy production, pollution control, and optimizing efficiency in the industrial applications of the Zb combustion. [Display omitted] • The increasing heating rate improved combustion efficiency of Zingiber officinale (Zb). • Zb combustion was best described by randomly coalescing nuclei on a single particle. • A majority of gaseous byproducts were emitted between 150 and 550 °C. • Zb ash exhibited high alkalinity, low melting point, and high slagging tendency. • Average activation energy was 172.56 kJ/mol (N 2 /O 2) and 163.25 kJ/mol (CO 2 /O 2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]