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The pyrolysis/devolatilization is a basic step of thermochemical processes and requires fundamental characterization. In this paper, the kinetic model of pyrolysis is specified as a one-step global reaction. This type of reaction is used to describe the thermal degradation of wheat straw samples by measuring rates of mass loss of solid matter at a linear increase in temperature. The mentioned experiments were carried out using a derivatograph in an open-air environment. The influence of different factors was investigated, such as particle size, humidity levels, and the heating rate in the kinetics of devolatilization. As the measured values of mass loss and temperature functions transform in Arrhenius coordinates, the results are shown in the form of saddle curves. Such characteristics cannot be approximated with one equation in the form of Arrhenius law. For use in numerical applications, transformed functions can be approximated by linear regression for three separate intervals. Analysis of measurement resulting in granulation and moisture content variations shows that these factors have no significant influence. Tests of heating rate variations confirm the significance of this impact, especially in warmer regions. The influence of this factor should be more precisely investigated as a general variable, which should be the topic of further experiments.

In comparison to coal, biomass is characterized by a higher content of volatile matter. It is a renewable source of energy which has many advantages from an ecological point of view. Understanding the physical phenomena of pyrolysis and representing them with a mathematical model is the primary step in the design of pyrolysis reactors. In the present study, an existing mathematical model is used to describe the pyrolysis of a single solid particle of biomass. It couples the heat transfer equations with the chemical kinetics equations.A finite difference method is used for solving the heat transfer equation and the two-step pyrolysis kinetics equations. The model equation is solved for a slab particle of equivalent dimension 0.001 m and temperature ranging from 300 to 923 K. An original numerical model for the pyrolysis of wood chips is proposed and relevant equations solved using original program realized in MATLAB.To check the validity of the numerical results, experimental results of pyrolysis of woody biomass in laboratory facility was used.The samples were heated over a range of temperature from 300 to 923 K with three different heating rates of 21, 32 and 55 K/min, and the weight loss was measured. The simulation results as well as the results obtained from thermal decomposition process indicate that the temperature peaks at maximum weight loss rate change with the increase in heating rate. The experimental results showed that the simulation results are in good agreement and can be successfully used to understand the degradation mechanism of solid reaction.

The objective of the present article is to present an experimental facility which was designed and built at the Faculty of Technical Sciences in order to study the combustion of different sorts of biomass and municipal solid waste. Despite its apparent simplicity, direct combustion is a complex process from a technological point of view. Conventional combustion equipment is not designed for burning agricultural residues. Devices for agricultural waste combustion are still in the development phase, which means that adequate design solution is presently not available at the world market. In order to construct a boiler and achieve optimal combustion conditions, it is necessary to develop a mathematical model for biomass combustion. Experimental facility can be used for the collection of data necessary for detailed modelling of real grate combustor of solid biomass fuels. Due to the complexity of the grate combustion process, its mathematical models and simulation software tools must be developed and verified using experimental data. This work highlights the properties required for the laboratory facility designed for the examination of biomass combustion and discusses design and operational issues.