Study on pyrolysis behavior and kinetics of waste plastics with spent FCC catalyst

Pyrolysis is the most promising method for treating plastic waste since it can convert waste plastics into high value-added products, which have significant application potential. In this study, kinetic and thermodynamic analyses of spent fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts were performed for testing their applicability in catalytic cracking of mixed plastics. Thermogravimetric analysis data were obtained at different heating rates under an inert atmosphere, and the synergistic effect between the mixed plastics and activation energy reduction before and after pretreatment of the spent FCC catalysts was discussed. Through a variety of model-free methods (Flynn-Wall-Ozawa, Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose, Starink, and Kissinger methods), it is proved that the spent FCC catalyst facilitates the reduction in activation energy required for the pyrolysis of plastics, which is reduced by approximately 13% from 278 to 242 kJ/mol. The catalytic performance of spent FCC catalyst was improved after pretreatment, while its activation energy decreased by approximately 21% from 278 to 220 kJ/mol. The Friedman-Reich-Levi method was used to fit the curve, and the number of mechanism functions in plastic pyrolysis was determined according to the slope of the fitting curve. The C-R method was used in combination with the Malek method to determine the optimal mechanism function. Moreover, kinetic parameters of the spent FCC catalyst for catalytic cracking of plastics were obtained via kinetic studies on the pyrolysis of mixed plastics, which provided theoretical guidance for industrialization of plastic pyrolysis.     

Model-free kinetics applied to sugarcane bagasse combustion

Vyazovkin's model-free kinetic algorithms were applied to determine conversion, isoconversion and apparent activation energy to both dehydration and combustion of sugarcane bagasse. Three different steps were detected with apparent activation energies of 76.1 ± 1.7, 333.3 ± 15.0 and 220.1 ± 4.0 kJ/mol in the conversion range of 2-5%, 15-60% and 70-90%, respectively. The first step is associated with the endothermic process of drying and release of water. The others correspond to the combustion (and carbonization) of organic matter (mainly cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) and the combustion of the products of pyrolysis.     

Synthesis, characterization and thermal degradation mechanism of three poly(alkylene adipate)s: Comparative study

Three high molecular weight aliphatic polyesters derived from adipic acid and the appropriate diol - poly(ethylene adipate) (PEAd), poly(propylene adipate) (PPAd) and poly(butylene adipate) (PBAd) - were prepared by two-stage melt polycondensation method (esterification and polycondensation) in a glass batch reactor. Intrinsic viscosities, GPC, DSC, NMR and carboxylic end-group measurements were used for their characterization. Mechanical properties of the prepared polyesters showed that PPAd has similar tensile strength to low-density polyethylene while PEAd and PBAd are much higher. From TGA analysis it was found that PEAd and PPAd have lower thermal stability than poly(butylene adipate) (PBAd). The decomposition kinetic parameters of all polyesters were calculated while the activation energies were estimated using the Ozawa, Flynn and Wall (OFW) and Friedman methods. Thermal degradation of PEAd was found to be satisfactorily described by one mechanism, with activation energy 153 kJ/mol, while that of PPAd and PBAd by two mechanisms having different activation energies: the first corresponding to a small mass loss with activation energies 121 and 185 kJ/mol for PPAd and PBAd, respectively, while the second is attributed to the main decomposition mechanism, where substantial mass loss takes place, with activation energies 157 and 217 kJ/mol, respectively.     

Investigation of thermal degradation mechanism of an aliphatic polyester using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and a kinetic study of the effect of the amount of polymerisation catalyst

The thermal degradation mechanism of the aliphatic biodegradable polyester poly(propylene succinate) (PPSu) and the effect of the polymerisation catalyst (tetrabutyl titanate, TBT) were studied using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) and TGA analysis. It is found from mass ions detection, that the decomposition takes place, mainly, through β-hydrogen bond scission and secondarily by α-hydrogen bond scission. At low pyrolysis temperatures (360 and 385 °C) gases as well as succinic anhydride, succinic acid and propanoic acid are mainly produced while allyl and diallyl succinates are formed in smaller quantities. At high temperatures (450 °C) the behaviour is inverted. Using the isoconversional methods of Ozawa and Friedman it is founded that PPSu degrades by two consecutive mechanisms. According to this analysis the first mechanism that takes place at low temperatures is autocatalysis with an activation energy of about E = 110-120 kJ/mol. The second mechanism is a first-order reaction with E of 220 kJ/mol, and corresponds to the extended β- and α-hydrogen bond scissions. These activation energies are slightly dependent on the catalyst amount and are shifted towards lower values with an increase of TBT content from 3 × 10⁻⁴ to 3 × 10⁻¹ mol TBT/mol succinic acid (SA).     

Study of the pyrolysis of municipal solid waste for the production of valuable products

To obtain information on the potential of thermal conversion (pyrolysis) of municipal solid waste (MSW), a thermogravimetric study (TGA) is performed in a stream of nitrogen. Based on TGA results, pyrolysis experiments are carried out in a semi-batch reactor under inert nitrogen atmosphere. Slow pyrolysis is performed up to 550 °C (heating rate of 4 °C/min). Fast pyrolysis is performed at 450, 480, 510 and 550 °C and different input transfer rates (12 or 24 g material/min). The pyrolysis products are studied on composition and yield/distribution and investigated for their use as valuable product.The liquid obtained by slow pyrolysis separates spontaneously in a water rich product and an oily product. For all fast pyrolysis conditions, a viscous, brown oil which contains a poly(ethylene-co-propylene) wax is obtained. Composition analyses by GC/MS of the oil products (slow/fast pyrolysis) show that aliphatic hydrocarbons are the major compounds. The pyrolysis oils have high calorific value (between 35 and 44 MJ/kg), low wt% of water (around 6 wt%) and a low O/C value (between 0.2 and 0.3). The presence of waxy material is probably due to incomplete breakdown of poly(ethylene-co-propylene) present in MSW under study. The optimal pyrolysis conditions, regarding to oil yield, fuel properties, and wax yield is fast pyrolysis at 510 °C with 24 g material/min input transfer rate. The fast pyrolysis gases contain mainly hydrocarbons and have an averaged LHV around 20 MJ/Nm³. ICP-AES analyses of pyrolysis products reveal that almost none of the metals present in MSW are distributed within the liquid fractions.     

Study of products yield of bagasse and sawdust via slow pyrolysis and iron-catalyze

In this paper, the via slow pyrolysis behavior of the bagasse and sawdust were studied at the different heating rates, the different iron-containing blend pyrolysis and the treatment temperature, the further understood for the pyrolysis of agricultural residues. The distribution of the products yield of the slow pyrolysis process, it is typically performed at temperature between 200 and 600 °C, the pyrolysis temperature increased, the bio-liquids and gas yields tended to increase, which at 400 °C was able to achieve maximum bio-liquids yields, the biochar yields tended to downward. For different heating rate, in the heating rate ranges for 80–100 W, the bio-liquids products yield curve increased from 44.5 wt% to 46.5 wt% for bagasse; the sawdust products yield increased from 41 wt% to 42.75 wt%. Iron-catalysts blend pyrolysis (0, 10, 25, 40 and 50 wt%), the bagasse bio-liquid yields respectively 56.25 wt% in the presence 50% iron-catalysts blend pyrolysis; the sawdust bio-liquid yields respectively 52.5 wt% in the presence 40% iron-catalysts blend. The pyrolysis process were calculated according to the kinetic mechanism were examined, the pyrolysis activation energy was between 6.55 and 7.49 kcal/mol for bagasse. Sawdust the pyrolysis activation energy was between 11.52 and 11.76 kcal/mol. Therefore, in this study a pyrolysis model of bagasse and sawdust thermal treatment may provide both agricultural and forestry transformation importance of resources.     

Thermal degradation kinetics of the biodegradable aliphatic polyester, poly(propylene succinate)

The preparation of the biodegradable aliphatic polyester poly(propylene succinate) (PPSu) using 1,3-propanediol and succinic acid is presented. Its synthesis was performed by two-stage melt polycondensation in a glass batch reactor. The polyester was characterized by gel permeation chromatography, ¹H NMR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It has a number average molecular weight 6880 g/mol, peak temperature of melting at 44 °C for heating rate 20 °C/min and glass transition temperature at −36 °C. After melt quenching it can be made completely amorphous due to its low crystallization rate. According to thermogravimetric measurements, PPSu shows a very high thermal stability as its major decomposition rate is at 404 °C (heating rate 10 °C/min). This is very high compared with aliphatic polyesters and can be compared to the decomposition temperature of aromatic polyesters. TG and Differential TG (DTG) thermograms revealed that PPSu degradation takes place in two stages, the first being at low temperatures that corresponds to a very small mass loss of about 7%, the second at elevated temperatures being the main degradation stage. Both stages are attributed to different decomposition mechanisms as is verified from activation energy determined with isoconversional methods of Ozawa, Flyn, Wall and Friedman. The first mechanism that takes place at low temperatures is auto-catalysis with activation energy E = 157 kJ/mol while the second mechanism is a first-order reaction with E = 221 kJ/mol, as calculated by the fitting of experimental measurements.     

Improvement of thermal resistance of polydimethylsiloxanes with polymethylmethoxysiloxane as crosslinker

Polymethylmethoxysiloxane (PMOS) with dense pendant Si-bound methoxy groups was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization and dehydrocoupling reaction. PMOS was incorporated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) via hydrolytic condensation to prepare PMOS crosslinked polydimethylsiloxane. Highly crosslinked PMOS phases were in situ formed and the average crosslink density increased as the loading of PMOS went up. TG analysis results demonstrated that thermal decomposition process of PMOS crosslinked polydimethylsiloxane was divided into two stages, and the residual mass at 500 °C was 66 wt%. The pyrolysis reaction order was 0.974 and the activation energy for degradation was 78.0 kJ/mol. FTIR, XPS, XRD were performed to study the degradation residues. It was detected that dense PMOS phases could reduce the pyrolysis of polydimethylsiloxane at elevated temperature.     

Characterization of the liquid product recovered through pyrolysis of PMMA-ABS waste

Thermal decomposition of waste polymethylmethacrylate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (PMMA-ABS) blend has been carried out using analytical and lab-scale pyrolysis methods in order to identify the substantial components appearing in the liquid product. Additionally decomposition characteristics of the blend have been investigated regarding the possible interrelation between the two components during the pyrolysis. The interactions between PMMA and ABS seem to modify the decomposition characteristics of the ABS, resulting in a lower degradation temperature than that of pure ABS. Moreover the simultaneous decomposition results in recombination of the products yielding new volatile compounds. During batch pyrolysis relatively high amount of gas production was observed, that is in contradiction with the results obtained by analytical pyrolysis and the data found in the literature where pyrolysis of the PMMA as well as the ABS was reported to yield low amount of gas products. The liquid product retrieved from thermal decomposition has been analyzed with respect to the possible utilization as a propellant. Hence aside from the investigation of contained elements and compounds, determination of density, viscosity, research octane number (RON), calorific value, and gaseous emissions has been carried out as well. The relatively high yield (65 wt%), and outstanding compression tolerance (RON = 110.2) observed at the pyrolysis oil make it a feasible fuel admixture.     

Morphology, isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of poly(methylene terephthalate)

The morphology of crystals, isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization of poly(methylene terephthalate) (PMT) have been investigated by using polarized optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The POM photographs displayed only several Maltese cross at the beginning short time of crystallization indicating that some spherulites had been formed. The crystal cell belonged to the Triclinic crystal systems and the cell dimensions were calculated from the WAXD pattern. The commonly used Avrami equation and that modified by Jeziorny were used, respectively, to fit the primary stage of isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization. The Ozawa theory was also used to analyze the primary stage of non-isothermal crystallization. The Avrami exponents n were evaluated to be in the range of 2-3 for isothermal crystallization, and 3-4 for non-isothermal crystallization. The Ozawa exponents m were evaluated to be in the range of 1-3 for non-isothermal crystallization in the range of 135-155 °C. The crystallization activation energy was calculated to be −78.8 kJ/mol and −94.5 kJ/mol, respectively, for the isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization processes by the Arrhenius’ formula and the Kissinger’s methods.     

New approach for the kinetic analysis of cellulose using EGA-MS

This paper describes a new approach for kinetic analysis based on evolved gas analysis-mass spectrometry (EGA-MS) using pyrolyzer-gas chromatography/MS (Py-GC/MS). The kinetic results derived by this model-free kinetic analysis using the EGA-MS thermograms of cellulose were comparable to those using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The activation energies were in the range of 149–194 kJ/mol (mean 169 kJ/mol) for EGA/MS and 152–181 kJ/mol (mean 165 kJ/mol) for TGA. This suggests that Py-GC/MS can be used not only for the qualitative analysis of pyrolyzates, but also for the kinetic analysis of pyrolysis.     

The Study of Nonisothermal Kinetics of Dehydration of Gibbsite in a Mixture with Zinc Oxide

Nonisothermal kinetics of dehydration of gibbsite in a mixture with zinc oxide has been studied by Friedman analysis (differential method) and Flynn‐Wall‐Ozawa analysis (integral method). The values of the activation energy and preexponential factor depending on the decomposition extent of gibbsite to boehmite have been determined. It has been shown that both methods give similar results. It has been established that the activation energy has a maximum value of 150–170 kJ/mol in the start stages of thermolysis (for conversion extent of less than 0.3). During further dehydration, the activation energy is reduced to 100–110 kJ/mol. It has been found that comilling of the mixture results in decreasing activation energy to 40–50 kJ/mol for a conversion extent more than 0.8. This testifies to the transition of the dehydration process out of the kinetic mode to the diffusion mode. It was explained by the accumulation of mechanical energy in the form defects of crystal lattice of gibbsite at the comilling stage.     

Thermal behavior and kinetic modeling of (NH4)4UO2(CO3)3 decomposition under non-isothermal conditions

The thermal behavior and kinetic analysis of ammonium uranyl carbonate decomposition has been studied in inert gas, O₂, and 90%Ar–10%H₂ atmospheres under non-isothermal conditions. The results showed a dependence on specific surface area with the decomposition temperature of ammonium uranyl tri-carbonate (AUC). Specific surface area increases and reaches a maximum between 300 and 400 °C and decreases at T > 400 °C. The reaction paths of AUC decomposition under the three atmospheres were proposed. The integral methods Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) were used for the kinetic analysis. The activation energy averages are 58.01 and 56.19 kJ/mol by KAS and FWO methods, respectively.

     

Synthesis and thermal decomposition of GAP-Poly(BAMO) copolymer

An energetic copolymer of glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) and poly(bis(azidomethyl)oxetane (Poly(BAMO)) was synthesized using the Borontrifluoride-dimethyl ether complex/diol initiator system. The synthesized copolymer exhibited the characteristics of an energetic thermoplastic elastomer (ETPE). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to study the thermal decomposition behavior and the results were compared with that of the constituent homopolymers. The main weight loss step in all the polymers coincides with the exothermic dissociation of the azido groups in the side chain. In contrast with the behavior of the homopolymers, the copolymer shows a broad exothermic shoulder peak at 298 °C after the main exothermic decomposition peak at 228 °C. Kinetic analysis was performed by Vyazovkin's model-free method, which suggests that the activation energy of the main decomposition step is around 145 kJ/mol and for the second shoulder it is around 220 kJ/mol. Fourier transform infra red (FTIR) spectra of the degradation residues show that the azido groups in the copolymer decompose in two stages at different temperatures which is responsible for the double decomposition behavior.     

Assessment of various kinetic models for the pyrolysis of a microgranular cellulose

The kinetics of pyrolysis of a micro-crystalline cellulose in nitrogen were studied from TGA and DTG data, obtained with two different modes of heating: a dynamic mode at constant heating rates between 1 and 11 °C/min and an isothermal mode at various temperatures, kept constant between 280 and 320 °C. In isothermal mode, it appeared very clearly that the mass depletion shows a sigmoid profile characteristic of an auto-accelerated reaction process. This behaviour is consistent with kinetics of nuclei-growth, well represented by the models of Avrami-Erofeev (A-E) and of Prout-Tompkins (P-T) type. All the other kinetic models commonly applied to the thermal decomposition of solids revealed unsatisfactory. The TGA and DTG data were, thus, found ideally simulated from a reaction scheme consisting in two parallel reactions, termed 1 and 2, each one described by the kinetic law: dx/dt=−A^−E/RTxⁿ(1−0.99x)^m. Reaction 1 is related to the bulk decomposition of cellulose and is characterised by the set of parameters: E₁=202 kJ/mol; n₁=1; m₁=0.48. Reaction 2 is related to the slower residual decomposition, which takes place over approximately 350 °C and affects only 16% by weight of the raw cellulose. With m₂ constrained to 1, the optimised parameters of this reaction were: E₂=255 kJ/mol; n₂=22. Finally, the proposed model allowed to correctly fit not less than to 10 sets of ATG-DTG data, isothermal and dynamic.     

Controlled pyrolysis of polyethylene/polypropylene/polystyrene mixed plastics with high impact polystyrene containing flame retardant: Effect of decabromo diphenylethane (DDE)

The pyrolysis of polyethylene(PE)/polypropylene(PP)/polystyrene(PS) mixed with high impact polystyrene (HIPS-Br) containing decabromo diphenylethane (DDE) as a brominated flame retardant with antimony trioxide as a synergist was performed under controlled temperature programmed pyrolysis (two steps) conditions to understand the decomposition behaviour and evolution of brominated hydrocarbons from flame-retardant additives. The liquid products were extensively analyzed by gas chromatographs equipped with FID, ECD, MSD, TCD, AED and FT-IR. The solid residue samples were analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction and combustion followed by ion-chromatography. The controlled pyrolysis of PE/PP/PS/HIPS-Br significantly affected the decomposition behaviour of HIPS-Br and subsequently the formation of decomposition products. GC/ECD analysis confirmed that the brominated hydrocarbons were concentrated in step 1 liquid products leaving less brominated hydrocarbons in the step 2 liquid products, similar to the decabromo diphenyl ether flame retardant containing mixed plastics. The yield of liquid products in step 1 from 3P/DDE-Sb(5) was 5 wt% and from 3P/DDE-Sb(0) was 2.4 wt%. The presence of antimony in the DDE containing plastics affected the yield of liquid, gas and residue products. ECD analysis showed that the presence of antimony increased the Br containing hydrocarbons and step 1 has 3-4 times higher brominated compounds than step 2 hydrocarbons in both the samples.     

Electronic structure and thermal decomposition of 5-methyltetrazole studied by UV photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical calculations

The electronic properties and thermal decomposition of 5-methyltetrazole (5MTZ) are investigated using UV photoelectron spectroscopy (UVPES) and theoretical calculations. Simulated spectra of both 1H- and 2H-5MTZ, based on electron propagator methods, are produced in order to study the relative tautomer population. The thermal decomposition results are rationalized in terms of G2(MP2) results. 5MTZ yields a HOMO ionization energy of 10.82 ± 0.04 eV and the gas-phase 5MTZ assumes predominantly the 2H-form. Its gas-phase thermal decomposition starts at ca. 195 °C and leads to the formation of N₂,CH₃CN and HCN. N₂ is formed from two competing routes, involving 150.2 and 126.2 kJ/mol energy barriers, from 2H- and 1H-5MTZ, respectively. CH₃CN is formed also from two competing pathways, requiring activation energies of 218.3 (2H-5MTZ) and 198.6 kJ/mol (1H-5MTZ). Conclusions are also drawn in order to explain the formation of HCN from secondary reactions in the thermal decomposition process.     

Kinetics of the β → δ solid-solid phase transition of HMX, octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine

We apply differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to measure the kinetics of the β→δ solid-solid phase transition of octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine, HMX. Integration of the DSC signal gives a direct measurement of degree of conversion. Data is analyzed by first-order kinetics, the Ozawa method, and isoconversional analysis. The range of activation energies found in this work, centering around 500 kJ/mol, is much higher than previously reported values by Brill and co-workers [AIAA J. (1982)], 204 kJ/mol [1], and Henson et al. and Henson and co-workers [B. Henson, L. Smilowitz, B. Asay, P. Dickson, Thermodynamics of the beta to delta phase transition in PBX-9501, in: Proceedings of American Physical Society Topical Group on Shock Compression of Condensed Matter, American Institute of Physics, Atlanta, GA, 2001; L. Smilowitz, B. Henson, J. Robinson, P. Dickson, B. Asay, Kinetics of the beta to delta phase transition in PBX-9501, in: Proceedings of American Physical Society Topical Group on Shock Compression of Condensed Matter, American Institute of Physics, Atlanta, GA, 2001; P.M. Dickson, B.W. Asay, B.F. Henson, C.S. Fugard, J. Wong, Measurement of phase change and thermal decomposition kinetics during cookoff of PBX-9501, in: Proceedings of American Physical Society Topical Group on Shock Compression of Condensed Matter, American Institute of Physics, Snowbird, UT, 1999], 200 kJ/mol [4]. We discuss possible reasons for the higher activation energies measured here but do not identify the cause.     

Studies on multistep thermal decomposition behavior of polytriazole polyethylene oxide‐tetrahydrofuran elastomer

Polytriazole polyethylene oxide‐tetrahydrofuran (PTPET) is an energetic propellant elastomer that is prepared using glycidyl azide polymer and trifunctional alkynyl‐terminated polyethylene oxide‐tetrahydrofuran. Its thermal decomposition, determined using thermogravimetic analysis, showed two mass‐loss peaks largely related to the decomposition of azide groups and the main chain. Flynn‐Wall‐Ozawa and Kissinger‐Akahira‐Sunose methods were deployed to obtain kinetic triplet parameters of PTPET thermal decomposition by the traditional model‐free method; the Coats‐Redfern approach was used as the model‐fitting method. Kinetics analysis indicated that the mechanism of the two‐step reactions were the primary‐reaction of first order and the power‐law phase reaction of the 2/3 order. The first decomposition stage of PTPET had an activation energy (E_a) of 113 to 116 kJ/mol while the second was 196 to 210 kJ/mol. The thermal decomposition of PTPET with different heating rates and mechanisms showed good kinetic compensation effects, the gas products being further studied with TG‐FTIR.     

生物质与废轮胎共热解催化热解油蒸发过程及其动力学研究

采用热重微商(TG-DTG)法考察生物质稻壳与废轮胎共热解经催化与非催化热解油的热失重行为，并同0#柴油的热失重行为进行了比较；同时采用Achar微分法和Coats-Redfern积分法对热解油热失重蒸发过程的蒸发热进行了计算，并结合Satava和Bagchi法确定了热失重蒸发过程的机理函数， 建立了0#柴油和在催化与非催化条件下得到的热解油蒸发过程的动力学方程，得出了在催化与非催化条件下热解油热失重过程的机理函数，其动力学方程为dα/dt=Ae-△vapH/RT(1-TBX〗α)2；而0#柴油的热失重蒸发过程动力学方程为dα/dt=1.5Ae-△vapH/RT(1-α)2/3\[1-(1-α)1/3\]-1。蒸发热的顺序由大到小依次为,柴油＞非催化热解油＞SBA-15热解油＞MCM-41热解油。结果表明，通过建立的模型函数得到的蒸发热与实验值非常接近。催化剂SBA-15和MCM-41的存在对降低高沸点馏分的物质具有一定作用，而SBA-15催化作用强于MCM-41。