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Thermal behaviour and kinetic parameters estimation for Gracilaria sp.
Torrefaction using thermogravimetric analyser
Suganthi Priya a/p Balasubramaniam
Supervisor: Dr Nur Farizan binti Munajat
Bachelor of Applied Science (Electronics and Instrumentation Physics)
School of Ocean Engineering
Torrefaction of Gracilaria sp. was investigated as a noteworthy means to contribute in
fuel production. Gracilaria sp. was torrefied using thermogravimetric analyser (TGA)
at temperatures ranging from 200 to 300°C ,residence time between 30 to 90 min and
heating rate between 10 to 30 hr to investigate the changes of moisture content. The
TGA curves indicates the weight loss of the macroalgae biomass increased as the
residence time and torrefaction temperature increased. The functional group of the
torrefied sample studied using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). An
exceptional changes were observed on peaks as the condition of the torrefaction
increased which indicated that torrefaction have altered the chemical structure of the
macroalgae. The kinetic parameters such as kinetic energy and exponential factor of
the torrefied Gracilaria sp. was calculated using Kissinger method. The activation
energies of torrefaction was observed to be in the range of 0.8622 J/mol to 102.09
J/mol.
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