Estudio cinético por análisis termogravimétrico en la degradación térmica en residuos de cáscara de naranja, generados en el cantón Caluma

Abstract

In this research project, the kinetic study of the thermal degradation process of orange peel residues were carried out, through an analysis of the variation in mass as a function of time. First, the biomass was characterized through elemental analysis and calculation of calorific value. This characterization revealed a percentage of humidity lower than the maximum recommended, and calorific value of 17.30 (MJ / Kg) factors showing the viability of this investigation, then, with the help of a thermobalance, a thermogravimetric test of the thermal degradation of the sample was carried out, at a heating rate established at 25 ° C / min. With the data obtained from the thermogravimetric test and applying the Arrhenius equation, 2 Coast-Redfern kinetic models and the Isoconversion model were set, adjusted for a first-order integral model. For each model, an adjustment of kinetic parameters, activation energy, and pre-exponential factor was performed, by minimizing the error between experimental and calculated values, to reduce errors. An equation was found with the help of the Solver gives the Excel spreadsheet, which complies with the restrictions applied to the study and shows the tightest kinetic parameters with an Activation Energy of 75.82 kJ / mol, and a pre-exponential Factor of = 0.502 1 / s; and the kinetic constant for the thermal degradation of the orange peel was 3.40 1 / s. The results obtained allow us to conclude that thanks to the physicochemical characteristics, the orange peel is biomass with a high energy potential, suitable for use as raw material for obtaining biofuels; and the proposed kinetic model explains the behavior of the orange peel in degradation processes.