Thermogravimetric properties and kinetic analysis of wheat straw

Thermogravimetric properties of the wheat straw were analyzed. The effects of heating rates and the existence of Ni-catalyst on the thermogravimetric properties of the material were investigated. Weight loss of wheat straw was not related with the heating rates at the range of 220.6～391.2℃，however, in order to obtain the same weight loss rate, relevant temperature increased with the enhancement of heating rates. When temperature was above 391.2℃，thermogravimetric law was not impacted essentially by the heating rates with 20℃/min or higher, however, the maximum weight loss took place when the heating rate was 10℃/min. Weight loss of wheat straw was not influenced obviously by the Ni-catalyst. Thermogravimetric dynamic parameters of wheat straw were calculated without catalyst and with 0.5% Ni-catalyst by the methods of Kissinger and Ozawa, respectively; apparent activation energies of wheat straw were 93.92, 119.80, 99.14, 123.70 kJ/mol, and frequency factor lnA were 17.82, 23.02 9.30, 24.03 min-1, respectively.