Pyrolysis gases released during the thermal degradation of insulation materials based on straw fibers

Abstract

Interest in recovering and valorizing agricultural biomass residues has increased in recent years in response to emerging economic opportunities and the potential for more sustainable use of renewable and easy available resources. The present research has been carried out to understand and analyze the gaseous emissions during thermal degradation of the new straw fiber concrete developed for insulation application. Two straw fibers (wheat and barley) and two binders (plaster and lime) have been collected and mixed with different S/B ratios to conceive thermal insulation composites. Gaseous emissions are required as a crucial investigation firstly to evaluate the environmental and human pollution and secondly to predict the ignition of these new materials. Py–GC/MS analyses have been carried out for basic and composite materials at 300°C. The thermal degradation of straws essentially released cellulose, lignin moieties and trimethyl pentadecanone. Composite materials, produced 27 compounds when submitted to a temperature of 300°C. The straw composite materials gaseous emissions appear to be influenced by binder nature and S/B ratio.