The role of inorganic sulfur compounds in the pyrolysis of Kraft lignin

In this study we have evaluated the production of gas during lignin pyrolysis under static vacuum conditions, the quantity of the most important gases produced, and the role of sulfur compounds. In fact, sulfates can act as oxidizers at the high temperature of pyrolysis (>200 degrees C) increasing the amount of carbon dioxide formed. This is related to the detection of reduced volatile sulfur compounds by GC-MS. We have evaluated the decrease in the production of CO2 and of reduced sulfur species after a simple acid treatment for the removal of inorganic sulfates from the pristine lignin. The thermovolumetric analysis (TVA) was found as effective as thermogravimetric (TGA) one for the investigation of lignin pyrolysis.