Co-pyrolysis of sugarcane bagasse and waste high-density polyethylene: Synergistic effect and product distributions

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) Vol. 191; p. 116545
• Main Authors: Hassan, H., Hameed, B.H., Lim, J.K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 15.01.2020; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Aliphatic compounds; Aromatic compounds; Bagasse; Calorific value; Carbon; Chemical composition; Co-pyrolysis; Diesel fuels; Free radicals; High density polyethylenes; High-density polyethylene; Hydroxyl radicals; Nuclear fuels; Organic chemistry; Organic compounds; Oxygen content; Polyethylene; Pyrolysis; Sugarcane; Sugarcane bagasse; Synergistic effect; Volatile compounds; Volatiles; Co-pyrolysis; Synergistic effect; High-density polyethylene; Sugarcane bagasse
• ISSN: 0360-5442; 1873-6785
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2019.116545

Co-pyrolysis of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) with waste high-density polyethylene (HDPE) was performed in a fixed-bed reactor under different temperatures (400–700 °C) and blending ratios (0–100%). Product yields and chemical compositions were compared with those from the pyrolysis of individual components to ascertain the synergistic effect between SCB and HDPE. The synergistic effect of SCB and HDPE produced higher liquid yield than the theoretical value. The effect was strongest at 600 °C and 60:40 HDPE:SCB ratio, with the maximum difference of 6.02 wt%. The positive synergistic effects on the production of high-value organic compounds (alcohol, hydrocarbons, and aromatics) and inhibition of oxygenated compounds were most prominent at 600 °C and 40:60 HDPE:SCB ratio. SCB-derived hydroxyl radicals favored the secondary cracking of HDPE primary volatiles, thereby promoting the formation of aliphatic compounds with lower carbon numbers. Co-pyrolysis of SCB and HDPE also produced oil with higher carbon (34% higher) and hydrogen (47% higher) contents, and with lower oxygen content (70% lower) than those of SCB pyrolysis oil. It also achieved a high calorific value of 42.41 MJ/kg, which is comparable to those of commercial diesel fuels. •Co-pyrolysis of sugarcane bagasse and high-density polyethylene was investigated.•Synergistic effect during co-pyrolysis were quantified.•Co-pyrolysis enhanced the liquid yield and production of alcohol and hydrocarbon.•The oxygenated compounds in the pyrolysis oil were decreased.•Decarbonylation, decarboxylation and H transfer promoted the deoxygenation.