Pyrolysis and Combustion of Lemon Verbena and Oregano Biomass: Characterization and Thermodynamic Analyses

The non-irrigated areas of the southwest of Spain need the introduction of profitable and diverse crop alternatives, as traditional crops are at the limit of their profitability. For this reason, the implementation of the cultivation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants has been studied, as they improve the productive diversity of the agricultural sector in Extremadura, the capacity to obtain new products and indirectly increase the stability of the rural population. The exclusive use of one part of the plant leads to the generation of a high volume of plant waste, so the energetic use of this waste can be a key to competitive improvement. Specifically, an energy study of the pyrolysis and combustion process of waste from the production of lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) and oregano (Origanum virens) has been carried out by means of Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Thermogravimetry curve (DTG) and pyrolysis and combustion indexes, with the aim of comparing the results with other biomass waste.