Thermal Catalysis Effects of Ca(NO₃)₂, Mg(NO₃) ₂, KNO₃, and Fe(NO₃)₃ on Olive Mill Solid Waste

01.Jan.2023

​Thermogravimetric Analysis - Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TGA-DSC) was employed in this study to investigate the thermal characteristics of olive mill solid waste (OMSW) both alone and in conjunction with six different compositions of Ca(NO₃)₂, Mg(NO₃)₂, KNO₃, and Fe(NO₃)₃. Emphasis was placed on assessing the impact of these compositions on the thermal behavior and heat flow. The analyses of TGA–DSC for the seven samples, conducted at a 10 K/min heating rate, revealed that the thermal decomposition of the OMSW occurred in three stages corresponding to the removal of water, devolatilization, and the formation of bio-char. Particularly noteworthy was the observation of complete combustion events between approximately 155°C and 240°C for four samples with distinct compositions during TGA testing. These findings underscore the significant influence of nitrate salt compositions on the thermal behavior of OMSW. The insights derived from this study contribute to the optimization of waste-to-energy processes and the refinement of thermal treatment protocols for sustainable OMSW management.

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