Abstract: A comprehensive study of eight wood waste samples as feedstock for thermochemical conversion such as gasification was done. Three softwood (Antiaris africana, (SW1); Terminalia superba, (SW2); Cieba pentandra,(SW3)), four hardwood (Pterygota macrocarpa (HW1); Celtis africana (HW2); Celtis zenkeri (HW3); Cordia millenii (HW4)) and mixed sawdust(MW) was used for the study. The samples were characterised for proximate composition (volatile matter, fixed carbon and ash content) and bulk density. Ultimate (C, H, N and O) analysis was done using CHN analyzer. Percentages of chemical structural components were evaluated. Crystallinity was examined using X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The functional groups were determined using Raman Spectroscopy. Thermal decomposition behaviour of these samples was studied using thermo gravimetric analyzer TGA (DTG). Results showed that wood species are different even within the same class of lignin. Relatively high volatile matter, carbon content, higher heating value (HHV) and, low ash and nitrogen content was observed in most of the samples. However, sample SW2 and HW1 has high ash content, and oxygen content with low carbon content and ultimately low HHV. Hard wood had significantly higher cellulose and hemicelluloses unlike the softwood which has more lignin content.
Keywords: Softwood, Hardwood, Thermal conversion, Gasification, Pyrolysis, Lignocellulose
Copyright Form