Non-isothermal kinetic analysis of the combustion of argan shell biomass

Abstract Argan shell is one of the main by-products during argan oil production. It is considered as an attractive, cheap and renewable biomass source for sustainable energy utilization. The present paper reports on combustion characteristics of argan shell in order to evaluate their potential for thermochemical conversion. Combustion studies using thermogravimetry (TG) are performed at four different heating rates of 5, 10, 15 and 20 °C·min−1. Kinetic parameters under non-isothermal condition are calculated using FWO (Flynn-Wall-Ozawa method) and KAS (Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose) model free methods. From the results obtained, it was revealed that when the conversion level (α) fluctuates between 0.1 and 0.55, the average activation energy were 154 and 145 KJ/mol for FWO and KAS methods, respectively. Then, it decreases drastically with α ≥ 0.6, reflecting the kinetic complexity of the combustion process characterized by a faster reaction caused by the intense devolatilization stage. Overall, the results highlight the potential use of argan shell as a biomass product for thermal conversion through combustion.