Characterization of lignocellulosic components in exhausted sugar beet pulp waste by TG/FTIR analysis

Abstract

In this work, the thermal decomposition of exhausted sugar beet pulp (ESBP) at a heating rate of 10 C min-1 and the resulting evolved gases were examined by thermogravimetric (TG) analysis coupled with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results obtained in the identification of biomass fiber components were compared with those of the Van Soest method. The TG curves obtained in the fast thermal pyrolysis of ESBP exhibited substantial mass loss peaks primarily associated with the decomposition of pectin, hemicellulose and cellulose at 233, 269 and 341 C, respectively. Lignin, however, was more difficult to decompose since its mass loss occurred over a broad temperature range (200–800 C). The FTIR spectra obtained at these temperatures were consistent with the formation of large amounts of gases such as CO2, CO, H2O and CH4 in addition to a mixture of organic products including aldehydes, ketones, organic acids, alkanes and phenols. Based on these results, the proposed approach allows lignocellulosic components in exhausted sugar beet pulp biomass to be efficiently screened. Also, the new approach is faster, operationally simpler and more economical than the Van Soest method.