Abstract
Tobacco industry in Thailand uses tobacco leaves for cigarette production. About 10 % of the processed leaves consisting of midribs and dust was generated as waste. These residues may be utilized as energy source. In the present study, the tobacco residues were analyzed for physico-chemical properties. Proximate and ultimate analyses for moisture, volatile matter, fixed carbon, ash and chemical elements (C, H, O, N, S) as well as analysis for lower heating value were carried out. It was found that the residues contained high carbon and volatile matter, with the heating value in the range of 11 - 14 MJ/kg. Results with the detergent method showed fairly high amount of lignocellulose content in the range of 24 - 31 %. The tobacco residues were also thermally treated via ablative pyrolysis process. The highest yield of pyrolysis liquid was about 54 % with the heating value was 30 MJ/kg. Properties of the pyrolysis products were shown to have high potential for energy application. From spectroscopic analysis of the products, there were carboxyl compounds, carbonyl compounds and aromatic compounds present. It was clear that alternative energy and fuel products can potentially be generated from the thermal processing of these tobacco wastes.
