Assessment of heating rate and mixing ratio on the synergistic effects of co-pyrolysis of pine sawdust and high-density polyethylene

• Published in: Journal of analytical and applied pyrolysis Vol. 181; p. 106615
• Main Authors: Gao, Shanshan, Li, Sijie, Shen, Jiangfeng, Liu, Jin, Cao, Daofan, Li, Junguo, Liu, Ke, Gao, Xi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.08.2024
• Subjects: Co-pyrolysis; Heating rate; Pine sawdust; Py-GC-MS; Synergistic effect; Pine sawdust; Py-GC-MS; Co-pyrolysis; Synergistic effect; Heating rate
• ISSN: 0165-2370
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaap.2024.106615

The co-pyrolysis of biomass and plastics presents a promising approach for generating hydrocarbon fuels and high-value chemicals while addressing environmental pollution concerns. This study investigates the pyrolysis process by examining mixtures of pine sawdust (PS) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with varying mass proportions and heating rates using analytical methods including thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DSC), thermogravimetry coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG-FTIR) coupled analysis, pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) and kinetic analysis. The study highlights the impact of heating rate on product distribution, with significant changes observed when the biomass ratio is at 30 %. Moreover, the addition of high-density polyethylene leads to an increase in polyol content in the liquid product. Analysis of product types reveals that plastics act as “hydrogen donors,” supplying hydrogen to biomass during co-pyrolysis, thus reducing oxygen chemicals. Results from the kinetic analysis show that the activation energy for co-pyrolysis is lower than individual pyrolysis, also indicating a synergistic effect. Overall, this research provides insights into the synergistic benefits of co-pyrolysis and establishes a theoretical foundation for advancing co-pyrolysis technology. [Display omitted] •A synergistic effect on the co-pyrolysis of pine sawdust with HDPE was observed.•Co-pyrolysis of pine sawdust with HDPE was analyzed using TG-FTIR and Py-GC-MS.•Co-pyrolysis of pine sawdust and HDPE promoted aliphatic hydrocarbons and polyols generation.•The heating rate affects the production concentration of hydrocarbon compounds.