Thermal behavior and kinetics of bio-ferment residue/coal blends during co-pyrolysis

Highlights: • The Activation energy for the blends is lower than that of BR and coal when BR < 50%. • The BR/coal blends start to decompose at approximately 45 °C releasing ammonia. • The yield of gaseous products increases with increasing BR blending ratio. • NH₃, alkanes and CO₂ increase with increasing BR blending ratio. • Interactions most likely occur between the BR and the coal during co-pyrolysis. - Abstract: In this work, the thermal behavior and kinetics of bio-ferment residue (BR) and coal blends during co-pyrolysis were investigated using TG-FTIR and kinetic analysis. The co-pyrolysis of BR and coal occurred in three major stages. The BR/coal blends lost most of their weight during the devolatilization stage. The kinetics of the BR/coal blends in this stage implied that the activation energy was lower than that of BR and coal below a certain BR blending ratio. The BR/coal blends started to decompose at approximately 45 °C, releasing ammonia followed by alkanes, carbon dioxide, methane and carbon monoxide. The total yield of gaseous products (primarily ammonia, alkanes and carbon dioxide) increased with increasing BR blending ratio. Moreover, interactions most likely occurred between the BR and the coal during co-pyrolysis