Thermogravimetric analysis of co-combustion of biomass and biochar

The co-combustion of biomass and biochar was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. Several thermal parameters and mean reactivity index (R _M) for different blends were used to evaluate co-combustion features. As the biomass content increased from 30 to 90 mass%, volatile releasing temperature (T _v), burnout temperature (T _b), and the temperature at the maximal peak (T _max) generally reduced, while average mass loss rates (R _a) and R _M increased, the maximum mass loss rate (R _max) initially decreased and then increased. Results showed that biochar additions enhanced biomass fuel reactivity over weighted average in main combustion region. Besides, blends with 10–30 mass% of biochar behaved better than those with higher biochar ratio. Synergy exists between the two components and better combustibility is feasible by co-firing biochar with biomass.