Nonlinear Analysis of Integrated Kinetics and Heat Transfer Models of Slow Pyrolysis of Biomass Particles using Differential Transformation Method

Abstract

The inherent nonlinearities in the kinetics and heat transfer models of biomass pyrolysis have led to the applications of various numerical methods in solving the nonlinear problems. However, in order to have physical insights into the phenomena and to show the direct relationships between the parameters of the models, analytical solutions are required. In this work, approximate analytical solutions for the nonlinear integrated kinetics and heat transfer of pyrolysis of biomass particle under isothermal and non-isothermal heating conditions are presented using differential transformation method. Also, the results of the analytical solutions are compared with the numerical and experimental results in literature. Good agreements are established between the present results and the past works. Thereafter, parametric studies are carried out on the effects of heating conditions, heating rates, thermo-geometric parameters, boundary conditions, particles shape and size on the pyrolysis kinetics and thermal decomposition of biomass particles. It is therefore expected that this study will enhance the understanding of the pyrolysis by giving physical insights into the various factors and the parameters affecting the thermochemical process.