REACTIVITY STUDIES OF SLUDGE AND BIOMASS COMBUSTION Noorfidza Yub Harun Muhammad T Afzal Norliza Shamsuddin Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB CSBE Annual Conference, Brudenell River Resort, Prince Edward Island, July 12-15, 2009

Contents Project Background 1 Objectives 2 Methodology 3 Results and Discussion 4 Conclusion 5 Recommendations 6

INCREASE IN CRUDE OIL PRICE PROJECT BACKGROUND CURRENT ISSUES GLOBAL WARMING “….. biomass has a great potential today and in the future, since it is renewable, in contrast to the nature of the fossil fuels ”- E. NATARAJAN- INCREASE IN ENERGY DEMAND DEPLETION OF FOSSIL RESOURCES

BIOMASS WASTE 20.8 million tonnes available can generate 700MW energy one-third for energy production saved RM 2 billion of import’s bill Petroleum Refinery Sludge Sugar Cane Bagasse Sawdust 100,000 tonnes annually drying and filter press alone sending to centralized waste treatment; costly

INITIAL BIOMASS PROPERTIES Calorific Value Composition

OBJECTIVE DETERMINE THE KINETIC PARAMETERS OF SLUDGE, BAGASSE AND SAWDUST DETERMINE THE KINETIC PARAMETERS OF SLUDGE, BAGASSE AND SAWDUST

THEORY

METHODOLOGY Preparation of Samples Heating at 110 o C (2 hours) Grinding

METHODOLOGY Controlled Parameters Effect of Heating Rate: 35 o C/min, 50 o C/min Effect of Sample Size: 425 µm, 1.18 mm

METHODOLOGY (i) Moisture Content Analysis (ii) Calorific Value Analysis (iii) Composition Analysis (iv) TGA Analysis

RESUTLS & DISCUSSION Sample Pre-treatment

RESUTLS & DISCUSSION TGA Analysis - Indicates by-product, includes non-condensable & condensable gas - Devolutilisation at °C Decompose at °C Carbonization at °C

RESUTLS & DISCUSSION TGA Analysis Zone 1 Zone 2

RESUTLS & DISCUSSION Thermal Degradation of Sludge – Effect of Heating Rate and Particle Size Zone 1 Zone 2

RESUTLS & DISCUSSION Thermal Degradation of Bagasse – Effect of Heating Rate and Particle Size

RESUTLS & DISCUSSION Thermal Degradation of Sawdust – Effect of Heating Rate and Particle Size

Kinetic Parameters Exp. run Ea (kJ/mol)Z (1/min) 1 st. zone2 nd. zone1 st. zone2 nd. zone x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 10 5

RESUTLS & DISCUSSION Kinetic Parameter Analysis; Activation Energy for Sludge, Bagasse and Sawdust

CONCLUSIONS  Two distinct reaction zones were observed for all samples  The kinetic parameters; activation energy and pre-exponential factors, for sludge and bagasse, in the first zone were found to be significantly higher than that of the second zone.  while for sawdust the trend was other ways.

RECOMMENDATIONS 4. Vary more properties 3. Investigate other biomass properties 2. Analyze volatiles and gases species using FTIR 1. Analyze using SEM for polymeric structure

Questions and Answers