Investigation on pyrolysis behavior and kinetic analysis of banana tree bark and coal blends in blast furnace injection

This study investigates the thermal decomposition properties of coal, banana tree bark (BB), banana tree bark char (BC), and their blends to evaluate their potential as mixed fuels for injection into blast furnaces. Proximate, elemental, calorific, XRD, FTIR, and thermogravimetric analyses were employed to characterize coal, BB, BC, and their blends. The physicochemical analysis demonstrates that BB and BC exhibit properties suitable for replacing coal in blast furnace operations. Kinetic investigation using the distributed activation energy model (DAEM) reveals that for BB blends, the activation energy (AE) decreases from 118.57 to 75.46 kJ/mol as BB content increases from 20 to 80%. Similarly, thermodynamic analysis of BC blends indicates a decrease in Delta G from 115.73 to 66.04 kJ/mol with increasing BC content, suggesting enhanced ease of decomposition during pyrolysis. Overall, blending biochar with coal enhances thermal stability, offering potential benefits for iron production in blast furnaces.