Kinetic study for the co-pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass and plastics using the distributed activation energy model

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) Vol. 165; pp. 731 - 742
• Main Authors: Navarro, M.V., López, J.M., Veses, A., Callén, M.S., García, T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 15.12.2018; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Activation energy; Biomass; Co-pyrolysis; Computer simulation; DAEM; Decomposition; Heating; High density polyethylenes; Kinetics; Lignocellulose; Plastic debris; Plastics; Polyethylene; Polyethylene terephthalate; Polylactic acid; Polymers; Polypropylene; Polystyrene; Polystyrene resins; Pyrolysis; Reaction kinetics; Thermal decomposition; Thermogravimetric analysis; Waste materials; Weight; DAEM; Co-pyrolysis; Kinetics; Biomass; Plastics
• ISSN: 0360-5442; 1873-6785
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2018.09.133

The characteristics of bio-oil produced from biomass pyrolysis can be improved by co-feeding waste materials. In this work, co-pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass with six different waste plastics (waste tyre (WT), polylactic acid (PLA), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP) and high density polyethylene (HDPE)) were conducted in a thermogravimetric analyser to study thermal decomposition of the mixtures. The distributed activation energy model (DAEM) was applied to pure feedstocks at 5 and 10 °C/min heating rates to fit the kinetic parameters. The model was used to simulate the co-pyrolysis of biomass/plastic mixtures assuming additive effect of components at different weight proportions and heating rates. Profiles of the fraction of mass remaining for mixtures at 100 °C/min were reproduced with a remarkable agreement. Discrepancies between the experimental and calculated profiles were considered as a measure of the extent of interactions occurring in the co-pyrolysis. Projections of the behaviour of mixtures under flash pyrolysis conditions were performed to study important aspects of the process, such as radical interactions and optimum working temperature. •The Distributed Activation Energy Model was applied to co-pyrolysis.•Mixtures of lignocellulosic biomass and plastic wastes were studied.•Different proportions of components and heating rates were successfully simulated.•Deviations of simulations from experiments were ascribed to interactions of solids.•Interactions depend on the nature and proportion of plastics and the heating rate.