Effect of Evolution of Carbon Structure during Torrefaction in Woody Biomass on Thermal Degradation

Torrefaction is an effective method for upgrading biomass. Cedar torrefaction is carried out in a fixed bed reactor at the temperature of 200–300 °C. The structural parameters are obtained from elemental analysis and 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Thermal degradation behavior of raw and torrefied cedar is monitored by thermogravimetry analysis. The results show that carbon structure varied during torrefaction has a significant effect on thermal degradation of cedar. Some unstable oxygen functional groups, such as C1 of hemicellulose, β-O-4 linked bonds, and amorphous C6 of cellulose, are decomposed at mild torrefaction of torrefied temperature ≤ 200 °C. The temperature of maximum weight loss rate increases from 348 °C of raw cedar to 373 °C of C-200. The amorphous cellulose is partly re-crystallized at moderate torrefaction of torrefied temperature 200–250 °C. The aromaticity of torrefied cedar increases from 0.45 of C-200 to 0.73 of C-250. The covalent bond in the side chain of aromatic rings in cedar was further broken during torrefaction at severe torrefaction of torrefied temperature 250–300 °C. The area percentage of DTG mainly signed at 387 °C of C-300. The proton aromatic carbon increases from 12.35% of C-250 to 21.69% of C-300. These results will further facilitate the utilization of biomass for replacing fossil fuel to drive carbon neutrality.