Studies on Characterization of Corn Cob for Application in a Gasification Process for Energy Production
Open accessAbstract
Quintessential characteristics of corn cob were investigated in this study in order to determine its gasification potential. Results were interpreted in relation to gasification with reference to existing data from the literature. The results showed that the gasification of corn cob may experience some challenges related to ash fouling, slagging, and sintering effects that may be orchestrated by high ash content recorded for corn cob, which may contribute to increasing concentration of inorganic elements under high temperature gasification conditions, even though EDX analysis showed reduced concentration of these elements. The study also found that the weight percentages of other properties such as moisture, volatile matter, and fixed carbon contents of corn cob as well as its three major elemental components (C, H, and O) including its clearly exhibited fiber cells make corn cob a suitable feedstock for gasification. FTIR analysis revealed the existence of –OH, C–O, C–H, and C=C as the major functional group of atoms in the structure of corn cob that may facilitate formation of condensable and noncondensable liquid and gaseous products during gasification. TGA results indicated that complete thermal decomposition of corn cob occurs at temperatures close to 1000°C at a heating rate of 20°C/min.
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The lowest biochar yield obtained in Region 2 (34.24% daf) compared to the typical fixed carbon content of corn cob of 11.31-24.6% daf supports the idea of secondary reactions.
“The lowest biochar yield obtained in this region (34.24% daf) compared to the typical fixed carbon content of corn cob of 11.31–24.6% daf (Anukam et al., 2017; Demiral et al., 2012; Demirbas, 2004; Shariff et al., 2016) supports this idea.”
From Optimization of process parameters of self-purging microwave pyrolysis of corn cob for biochar production (2021) · cites this paper as Anukam et al., 2017
Section 3.1 and Table 4 report a corn-cob fixed-carbon content of about 21% (21.3 wt.%), supporting the comparison in general. The paper does not give the stated 11.31–24.6% dry, ash-free range. The 34.24% biochar yield and inference about secondary reactions are the citing authors’ comparison, not findings attributed to Anukam et al. (LLM, conf=0.86)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredHigh carbonization temperatures (700-900 °C) promote thermal decomposition of organic biomass structures, resulting in biochar with increased carbon content, greater aromaticity, and improved stability.
“High carbonization temperatures (700–900 °C) promote thermal decomposition of the organic biomass structures, resulting in biochar with increased carbon content, greater aromaticity, and improved stability.”
From Metals incorporated agricultural waste corn Cob-based biochar used as an adsorbent for CO2 capturing (2025) · cites this paper as [47]
Section 3.6 (page unavailable) reports that heating decomposes corn cob’s organic components and that degradation at higher temperatures produces carbonized biomass. It does not establish the specified 700–900 °C range or show that the resulting biochar has increased carbon content, greater aromaticity, or improved stability. (LLM, conf=0.86)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredAt 800 °C, biochar typically develops a higher surface area and porosity compared to lower temperatures, which is critical to adsorption applications.
“At 800 °C, biochar typically develops a higher surface area and porosity compared to lower temperatures, which is critical to adsorption applications.”
From Metals incorporated agricultural waste corn Cob-based biochar used as an adsorbent for CO2 capturing (2025) · cites this paper as [47]
Section 2.5 describes heating corn cob for thermogravimetric analysis, and Section 3.7 discusses the microstructure of untreated corn cob for gasification; neither reports biochar surface area or adsorption performance. Searches for 800 °C, porosity, surface area, and adsorption found no comparison of biochar produced at different temperatures. Page numbers were not available in the indexed copy. (LLM, conf=0.76)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredSulfuric acid impregnation preceding carbonization facilitates dehydration and charring reactions, improving the formation of porous carbon structures under high temperatures.
“The sulfuric acid impregnation preceding carbonization facilitates dehydration and charring reactions, improving the formation of porous carbon structures under these high temperatures47,48.”
From Metals incorporated agricultural waste corn Cob-based biochar used as an adsorbent for CO2 capturing (2025) · cites this paper as [47]
Section 3.1 discusses char formation during corn-cob gasification, and Section 3.4 discusses reactions caused by rising temperature. Neither addresses sulfuric acid impregnation, acid-facilitated dehydration or charring, or the formation of porous carbon structures. Searches for those terms and for acid activation before carbonization found no supporting passage in our copy; page numbers were not provided. (LLM, conf=0.76)
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Quillope, J. C. C., Carpio, R. B., Gatdula, K. M., Detras, M. C. M., & Doliente, S. S. (2021) · Heliyon · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08417 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Metals incorporated agricultural waste corn Cob-based biochar used as an adsorbent for CO2 capturing
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- Authors
- Anukam, A. I., Goso, B. P., Okoh, O. O., & Mamphweli, S. N.
- Affiliations
- University of Fort Hare (ZA)
- Corresponding author
- Anukam, Anthony I.
- Venue
- Journal of Chemistry
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2017
- Volume
- 2017
- Pages
- 1-9
- ISSN
- 2090-9063 (ISSN-L)
- 2090-9071
- OpenAlex
- W2623590893
- Cited by
- 100
- References
- 26
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 2.34
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of Chemistry (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Digitala vetenskapliga arkivet (Diva) (Karlstad University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Funders
- National Research Foundation
- Govan Mbeki Research and Development Center
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Thermochemical Biomass Conversion Processes
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Mining and Gasification Technologies
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Biofuel production and bioconversion
- Keywords
- corn cob, biomass gasification, ash fouling, slagging, sintering, ash content, volatile matter, fixed carbon, moisture content, elemental composition, functional groups, thermal decomposition, biomass feedstock
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