Modeling pyrolysis kinetics of plastic mixtures

Modeling pyrolysis behavior of waste plastic mixtures is of importance for design and operation of reactors which convert these waste plastics into valuable chemicals. However, because of limited understanding of their degradation behavior even for single component plastic wastes, modeling degradation kinetics of plastic mixtures is a challenging task.In this work, we report modeling of binary and ternary mixture degradation kinetics of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP). A simple mixing rule approach was used with one cross-kinetic degradation parameter per each binary. Ternary kinetics were completely predictive and showed good agreement with the experimental data.     

Stepwise pyrolysis for recycling of plastic mixtures

For chemical recycling of plastic refuses a cascade of cycled-spheres reactors has been developed combining separation and decomposition of polymer mixtures by stepwise pyrolysis at moderate temperatures. In low-temperature pyrolysis, mixtures of poly(vinyl chloride), polystyrene and polyethylene or polystyrene, polyamide 6 and polyethylene have been separated into hydrogen chloride, styrene and polyamide 6 and aliphatic compounds from polyethylene decomposition. Compared with the low-temperature pyrolysis of the single components, some interactions between the polymers are found when pyrolyzing mixtures. Some mechanistic aspects of these interactions are discussed.     

Catalytic stepwise pyrolysis of packaging plastic waste

In this paper the combination of catalytic and stepwise pyrolysis is explored. A mixture of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), which resembles real municipal plastic waste, has been pyrolysed in a 3.5 dm³ semi-batch reactor at 440 °C for 30 min using a ZSM-5 zeolite as catalyst. A low temperature (300 °C) dechlorination step has been carried out both with and without catalyst. It has been proved that the application of such dechlorination step gives rise to a 75 wt% reduction of chlorine in the liquid fraction. However, such step has a negative influence on the catalyst, which loses some catalytic activity. The optimum procedure in terms of quality and chlorine content of the products is the combination of first a low temperature step without catalyst, and second the catalytic pyrolysis step.     

Characterization of liquid products of automobile tire pyrolysis

The liquid product of automobile tire pyrolysis and its fractions were studied. The amount of the liquid hydrocarbon fraction is 40–45% of the total weight of pyrolysis products. The hydrocarbon fraction is similar in its characteristics to low-sulfur heavy crude oil. Fractionation of the hydrocarbon fuel was performed. The maximal yield of the light distillation fraction is 39% (temperature interval 180–340°C). The extent to which the characteristics of the light fraction obtained meet the regulations was evaluated. The light fraction of hydrocarbon fuel produced by pyrolysis is recommended for use as a component of diesel motor fuel after additional purification.     

Sulphur distribution in the products of waste tire pyrolysis

The aim of the presented work was to investigate the distribution of sulphur in tire pyrolysis products as well as the influence of process parameters (temperature and residence time) on sulphur distribution due to environmental concerns. Among modern methods used for waste tire recycling, pyrolysis is one of the most reasonable alternatives meeting current environmental standards. However, waste tire sulphur content can be a potential drawback for pyrolysis products utilisation as fuels. Sulphur is present in tires in different concentrations, depending on the type and age of the tires. Typical sulphur content in tires is about 1.6 mass %. In this paper, the distribution of sulphur in tire pyrolysis products was investigated. Tire pyrolysis yields three different products: liquid, gaseous, and solid residue composed mostly of carbon black (chars). Temperature and residence time are the two most important parameters affecting the yield and composition of the volatile fraction and they are therefore expected to affect the sulphur content in residues. Pyrolysis experiments were carried out in a laboratory pyrolysis reaction unit in the temperature range of 650°C to 750°C at different residence times: 88.6 s, 80.2 s, and 73.9 s. Liquid and solid products were analysed by elemental analysis and the distribution of total sulphur in tire pyrolysis products was calculated.     

Intermolecular condensation products formed during the pyrolysis of peptides

Mass Spectrometry (MS) analysis of pyrolysis products of simple peptides has revealed several non-volatile thermal degradation products at masses lower than the precursor peptide. In addition to these products, many other signals were also observed at higher masses than the precursor peptide, and their characterization is the focus of this study. Here we report on the observation of homo and hetero condensation peptide products formed during the pyrolysis of peptides. The observed peptide condensation products are formed between two, three or even four peptides. Tandem MS (MS/MS) analyses of these products showed that C-terminal to N-terminal intermolecular bonding is preferred during pyrolysis when combining two peptides, rather than involving crosslinking between basic and acidic side chain groups like arginine and aspartic acid. These observations are rationalized by steric hindrance effect and known pK_a values of the peptide C- and N-termini and amino acid side groups like aspartic acid and arginine. Pyrolysis of a standard N-acetylated peptide showed no detectable condensation and/or crosslinked products, even in peptides with basic side groups, providing further evidence for the C-terminus to N-terminus intermolecular bonding between peptides under pyrolytic conditions.     

Isomeric structure of styrene-acrylonitrile and styrene-methylcrylate copolymer pyrolysis products

Summary Gas chromatographic retention indices of pyrolysis products of styrene-acrylonitrile and styrene-methylacrylate copolymers were measured on two columns prepared with different stationary phases. A retention index against retention index diagram proved to be useful to define the composition of product molecules, as the points of homologous series form straight lines. We identified the isomeric structure of dimers and trimers consisting of two kind of monomer units by comparing their retention indices. This comparison was based on the determination of the retention index increments of cyano, methoxy-carbonyl and phenyl groups bounded to primary, secondary or olefinic carbon atom. The isomeric structures of styrene-acrylonitrile dimers and trimers were confirmed by mass spectroscopy.     

Distribution of heteroatoms of synthetic ion exchangers in pyrolysis products

Distribution of sulfur and nitrogen atoms in products of pyrolysis of spent synthetic ion exchangers AV-17 and KU-2 in the temperature range 50–550°C was studied. The compounds containing heteroatoms were identified, and their amounts were determined.     

New products of a new method for pyrolysis of pyridine

New method for pyrolysis of pyridine is suggested. One of yielded by the method is a new type of heteroatomic molecules in the form of exohedrally hydrogenated and hydroxylated azafullerenes (C₃₅N₅)H₉, (C₄₅N₅) (OH)₃H₁₄, and (C₄₉N₁₁)(OH)₅H₁₈. C₆₀ fullerene, its hydrides, and new carbon molecules, such as quasi-fullerene C₄₈ and C₃-C₁₅, are detected for the first time in pyridine pyrolysis products by mass-spectral analysis. Hydrides of the carbon molecules are synthesized for the first time without using fullerene.     

Analysis of cyclic pyrolysis products formed from amino acid monomer

Amino acid was mixed with silica and tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) to favor pyrolysis of amino acid monomer. The pyrolysis products formed from amino acid monomer were using GC/MS and GC. 20 amino acids of alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine were analyzed. The pyrolysis products were divided into cyclic and non-cyclic products. Among the 20 amino acids, arginine, asparagine, glutamic acid, glutamine, histidine, lysine, and phenylalanine generated cyclic pyrolysis products of the monomer. New cyclic pyrolysis products were formed by isolation of amino acid monomers. They commonly had polar side functional groups to 5-, 6-, or 7-membered ring structure. Arginine, asparagine, glutamic acid, glutamine, histidine, and phenylalanine generated only 5- or 6-membered ring products. However, lysine generated both 6- and 7-membered ring compounds. Variations of the relative intensities of the cyclic pyrolysis products with the pyrolysis temperature and amino acid concentration were also investigated.     

On-probe pyrolysis desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) mass spectrometry for the analysis of non-volatile pyrolysis products

An on-probe pyrolyzer has been constructed and interfaced with desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) mass spectrometry (MS) for the rapid analysis of non-volatile pyrolysis products. The detection and analysis of non-volatile pyrolysis products of peptides, proteins and the synthetic polymer poly(ethylene glycol) were demonstrated with this instrument. The on-probe pyrolyzer can be operated off-line or on-line with the DESI source and was interfaced with a tandem MS (MS/MS) instrument, which allowed for structure characterization of the non-volatile pyrolytic products. Advantages of this system are its simplicity and speed of analysis since the pyrolysis is performed in situ on the DESI source probe and hence, it avoids extraction steps and/or the use of matrices (e.g., as in MALDI–MS analyses).     

On-probe pyrolysis desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) mass spectrometry for the analysis of non-volatile pyrolysis products

An on-probe pyrolyzer has been constructed and interfaced with desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) mass spectrometry (MS) for the rapid analysis of non-volatile pyrolysis products. The detection and analysis of non-volatile pyrolysis products of peptides, proteins and the synthetic polymer poly(ethylene glycol) were demonstrated with this instrument. The on-probe pyrolyzer can be operated off-line or on-line with the DESI source and was interfaced with a tandem MS (MS/MS) instrument, which allowed for structure characterization of the non-volatile pyrolytic products. Advantages of this system are its simplicity and speed of analysis since the pyrolysis is performed in situ on the DESI source probe and hence, it avoids extraction steps and/or the use of matrices (e.g., as in MALDI–MS analyses).     

Kinetics of pyrolysis of sugarcane bagasse: effect of catalyst on activation energy and yield of pyrolysis products

Cellulose - In this work we have attempted to use biomass as energy source which is abundantly available throughout the world. The work is focused on pyrolysis of sugarcane bagasse in a...     

Application of off-line pyrolysis with dynamic solid-phase microextraction to the GC–MS analysis of biomass pyrolysis products

Pyrolysis coupled with dynamic solid-phase micro extraction (Py-SPME) followed by GC–MS analysis was applied to the determination of volatile compounds evolved by a micro-scale off-line pyrolysis apparatus, in order to extend the information affordable with this type of analytical equipment. The Py-SPME method with a carboxen/PDMS fiber working in the retracted mode was tested on four biomass samples (switchgrass, sweet sorghum, corn stalk and poplar) for qualitative analysis of semi-volatile pyrolysis products and quantitative determination of main volatiles (C₁–C₄) pyrolysis products. The developed procedure allowed capturing and analysis of all GC analyzable compounds, without memory effects and with good peak resolution also for early GC-eluting compounds. Twelve main volatile pyrolysis products, including hydroxyacetaldehyde and acetic acid, were successfully quantified; in spite of the intrinsic variability introduced by dynamic SPME sampling, results were relatively accurate and consistent with literature data on bench pyrolysis reactors.     

Thermal and catalytic degradation of pyrolytic oil from pyrolysis of municipal plastic wastes

Thermal and catalytic degradation of pyrolytic oil obtained from the commercial rotary kiln pyrolysis plant for municipal plastic waste was studied by using fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst in a bench scale reactor. The characteristics of raw pyrolytic oil and also thermal and catalytic degradation of pyrolytic oil using FCC catalyst (fresh and spent FCC catalyst) under rising temperature programming was examined. The experiments were conducted by temperature programming with 10 °C/min of heating rate up to 420 °C and then holding time of 5 h. During this programming, the sampling of product oil was conducted at a different degradation temperature and also different holding time. The raw pyrolytic oil showed a wide retention time distribution in GC analysis, from 5 of carbon number to about 25, and also different product characteristics with a comparison of those of commercial oils (gasoline, kerosene and diesel). In thermal degradation, the characteristics of product oils obtained were influenced by reaction temperature under temperature programming and holding time in the reactor at 420 °C. The addition of FCC catalyst in degradation process showed the improvement of liquid and gas yield, and also high fraction of heavy hydrocarbons in oil product due to more cracking of residue. Moreover, the characteristic of oil product in catalytic degradation using both spent and fresh FCC catalysts were similar, but a relatively good effect of spent FCC catalyst was observed.     

Pyrolysis of solid waste in a rotary kiln: influence of final pyrolysis temperature on the pyrolysis products

Temperature is one of the most important parameters in pyrolysis reaction. In present work, an externally heated laboratory-scale rotary-kiln pyrolyser was designed and developed. The influence of final pyrolysis temperature (FPT) on the pyrolytic products of solid wastes has been studied. Raising FPT caused increasing gas yield and decreasing semi-coke yield. The average heat value of the gas also changed with FPT. The content of aliphatic hydrocarbons in PE tar increased initially and then decreased with increasing FPT. Parallel to this, the content of aromatic ring changed conversely. FPT had obvious influence on the primary and elemental analysis data of the semi-cokes. The CO₂ reactivity of the semi-cokes also varied with the FPT. The kinetic parameters of the semi-cokes were different for the same material at the different FPT.     

Py-GC/MS分析烟用添加剂黄芩浸膏的热裂解产物

采用在线热裂解气相色谱-质谱法(Py-GC/MS)法研究了黄芩浸膏热裂解行为。在氦气氛围中,将黄芩浸膏分别在300、450、600、750和900℃下进行热裂解,并以GC/MS对其裂解产物进行定性和半定量分析,并用黄芩浸膏进行了卷烟加香试验。结果表明:①黄芩浸膏在这一系列裂解温度下检测到的挥发性热裂解产物分别为12种、19种、40种、55种和46种;②黄芩浸膏低温区(300℃～450℃)裂解后产生大量醛类、酮类、酯类和呋喃类物质,这些物质是构成卷烟香味的重要物质,能改善卷烟吸味、减轻刺激性;③在高温区(750℃～900℃)产生大量的芳香族化合物,如苯、甲苯、乙苯、萘等。该研究为香味物质在卷烟燃烧过程中的挥发性物质提供了例证。     

纤维素热裂解反应机理及中间产物生成过程模拟研究

基于改进的B-S机理模型,通过求解物料内部和气相空间两段反应过程,对纤维素热裂解过程中一些化合物(活性纤维素、左旋葡聚糖(LG)、乙醇醛、丙酮醇等组分)的生成和演变情况进行了模拟。结果发现,自由水的脱除过程使物料前期升温速率发生了下降,并未影响热解期间温度分布以及反应过程。热裂解过程中,由于一次反应的强烈吸热,物料在长时间内局限于中温范围,其内部各组分质量浓度分布的区别主要体现出一次反应竞争能力的强弱。物料厚度的增加使热裂解时间延长,并加剧物料内部的二次分解。左旋葡聚糖和其竞争产物乙醇醛的生成出现一个大量生成、快速逃逸的过程,相比于左旋葡聚糖,乙醇醛质量浓度的积累具有更快的速度,体现出较高温度下的竞争优势。对于小尺寸反应物,挥发分二次反应主要发生在气相空间,随着气相停留时间的增加,其二次分解的程度提高,该效果随辐射源温度的提高而加剧。相比于LG产率随反应时间的快速下降趋势,高温下生物油产率的降低略显缓和,其变化主要是组分分布的改变,即从大分子结构降解为小分子结构。