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Non-isothermal co-combustion of sludge and coal: Thermal behavior, kinetics and functional group structural analysis

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  • Chen, Yanghua
  • Li, Dequan
  • Tian, Yuan
  • Shi, Jinming
  • Wen, Da
  • Zhang, Ying
  • Zhang, Siqi

Abstract

This research employed Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to investigate the combustion characteristics of municipal sludge and pharmaceutical sludge when co-combustion with coal. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to study changes in surface functional groups. The results indicated that when the blending ratio of the two types of sludge reached 10 %, the comprehensive combustion indices decreased by 15.65 % and 26.42 % compared to coal, respectively. Using three model-free methods to calculate activation energy revealed that the activation energy for the initial reaction phase decreased when the blending ratio was ≤10 %. However, when the blending ratio ≥30 %, it had a significantly adverse effect on combustion. The sludge promoted the decomposition of coal in the initial reaction but strongly inhibited the release of volatile matter and the combustion of fixed carbon. Overall, the negative impact of pharmaceutical sludge on coal combustion was greater than that of municipal sludge. The thermal stability of different samples is related to the content of various functional groups. In the later stages of the reaction, the addition of sludge will inhibit the release of aromatic compounds from the coal, which can help explain the changes in thermal behavior during the co-combustion process.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Yanghua & Li, Dequan & Tian, Yuan & Shi, Jinming & Wen, Da & Zhang, Ying & Zhang, Siqi, 2025. "Non-isothermal co-combustion of sludge and coal: Thermal behavior, kinetics and functional group structural analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:324:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225016196
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.135977
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