Co-pyrolysis of Juliflora biomass with low-density polyethylene for bio-oil synthesis

ABSTRACT

An indigenous reactor with a capacity to hold a maximum temperature of 1,000°C was developed for investigating the co-pyrolysis of Juliflora (JF) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The length of the reactor was 1.49 m and width was 0.49 m. A screw feeder of 1.5 m, with a 0.051-m circular pipe, delivered the feed along the length of the reactor. Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis reported that the optimum temperature of LDPE and JF was 450 and 600°C, respectively. Fast pyrolysis is conducted to investigate the effect of oil quality and quantity from JF biomass and LDPE. Different blend of the feedstock 1:0, 1:1, 1:2, 2:1, and 0:1 of JF and LDPE was tested for co-pyrolysis. Experiments were conducted at varying temperature of 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, and 700°C. The optimum heating rate was found to be 10°C min⁻¹. The elemental analysis of the biomass and plastic was performed. JF and LDPE at the blend of 1:2 yielded maximum liquid content. Increase in ratio of LDPE increased the calorific value and lowered oxygen content in the bio-oil. The pyrolytic oil is characterized and analyzed by GC–MS and FT-IR. The calorific value of the oil produced was found to be 27.14 MJ kg⁻¹. The energy and exergy of JF, LDPE, and blend of both were 76.45, 92.15, 101.25, 73.48, 80.46, and 93.97 MJ, respectively.

KEYWORDS:

• Auger reactor
• co-pyrolysis
• Juliflora
• LDPE
• higher heating value
• exergy

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) India: [Grant Number ECR/2016/001304].

Notes on contributors

Midhun Prasad k

Midhun Prasad K is a mechanical engineer. He has completed his M.Tech in Energy and Environment and currently he is a research fellow at CO₂RGTC VIT Vellore.

Murugavelh Somasundaram

Murugavelh Somasundaram obtained his PhD from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati. He is currently working as an associate professor in the VIT Vellore. He has published 20 peer-reviewed papers. His areas of interest are renewable energy and biofuels.