Prediction and evaluation on fuel properties and pyrolysis characteristics of combustible industrial solid wastes

Combustible industrial solid wastes (CISW) is a potential fuel in waste-to-energy systems. Fuel properties of typical CISW components including paper (PP), plastic (PL), textile (TX), and rubber (RB), and their mixtures were characterized by proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, and caloric value determination. Five formulas involving Channiwala and Parikh-formula, Dulong-formula, Steuere-formula, Scheuere-Kestner-formula, and Li-formula was used to predict higher heating value (HHV) of individual and mixed CISW. The corresponding pyrolysis behavior were investigated by a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) in N2 atmosphere at heating rates of 10, 15 and 20 °C/min, respectively. The obtained results indicated that proximate analysis of CISW mixtures can be predicted by typical component based on the mass-weighted method. HHV prediction errors by Channiwala and Parikh-formula, Dulong-formula and Steuere-formula for typical components (PP, PL and TX) and their CISW mixtures are less than 10%, which can be used as a low-cost alternative for calorific value prediction of CISW. Pyrolysis characteristics of the mixed CISW can be predicted by the mass-weighted method when the RB component in the mixed CISW is less than 25%. A 3-pseudo-component model is suitable for predicting kinetic behavior of pyrolysis of individual and mixed CISW. The overall synergistic effect of individual component (except RB) during pyrolysis of mixed CISW is insignificant.